Chapter 42 : The Villainess Showdown (Part 4)

A bit earlier on the other group...

Among the other ladies of each noble families who gathered around to have fun and chat, there was a middle aged woman who resembled Bridget with pink hair and wearing many jewelries on her body and an expensinve looking dress.

She was Bridget Allura's mother and was the center of their clique talk.

Without a care in the world, she was creating a weird rumor around the Welford's family, saying they were going to fall apart because of making a connection with some commoner.

Eliza sat beside Helen, simply ignored those rumors to save her face since she's the Duchess of the Welford family.

If she behave recklessly, the others will whispers among themselves and causing the rumor to get even worse.

They continued to talk to one another and spread the words again and again. Helen stood up from her seat as she couldn't ignore it any longer.

"Stop it! This is my tea party and I won't allow such behavior like this to the Duchess!"

"Ohhh please~ I'm just talking about the rumors that is going on~ nothing bad about it, but...is it true? Hmmm~ Duchess Eliza?~"

"I don't understand what you are trying to say Baroness Allura." From that words, her aura changed to be much colder than before.

"H-huh? What do you mean you don't understand? Your daughter is having a commoner friend–?!"

*SRUTTT*

Suddenly, Eliza spread her fan that she was holding and looked at her icily. "What I am saying is...why do you care so much about our family's matters?"

Her face reddened in embarassment, "But!–"

"But what exactly? It's our family and our matters...I couldn't even care less about it, my daughter is just trying to create a new connection that is beneficial for us."

"W-wha–you don't know who he is?! He might be dangerous!"

"Ohh~ then that's so kind of you~ for warning me about that boy being dangerous~"

"Y-yes of course, since we are nobles...we ought to help and look at each other's back."

Eliza smiled and raised a questioning brow, "Really? After spouting nonsense about our family going to be ruined because of a single commoner boy?"

"I-it just a rumor."

"Of course it is~ I understand that~ but allow me to tell you a bit about our family~" Eliza brought the fan over her mouth as she looked at her like a predator who had her eyes set on a prey, "We are the Welfords....the great family that came from our ancestor who protected this kingdom for so long. If our family is going to be ruined by a single boy from an unknown origin...then we wouldn't be here."

"Am I right?~ Baroness?~"

The lady pursed her lips tight in a straight line after hearing from Eliza.

"But your daughter!–"

"What about my daughter?~"

She was about to speak when something in the corner of her eyes caught her attention,

*CLICK*

*SHINGGGG*

The tense atmosphere surrounding their table was single handedly destroyed by Iris

She was dazzling like a beautiful moon under the day light, drawing out her rapier from its sheathe and moved in a flash, stabbing a small bug that was about to go near the pink haired girl who stood in a daze, momentarily captivated by her blade.

Helen who noticed her had her eyes wide in surprise as she stifled a gasp behind the covers of her hand over her mouth.

Meanwhile, Eliza smiled and closed her fan, "Baroness...if you are going to say that my daughter is in danger because of that, it means you had underestimated us for so long."

After that, Eliza sipped her tea calmly and looked at the lady. "Now then...let me ask you again~ what about my daughter~ Baroness?~"

"N-nothing." The lady sat back down to her seat as she looked down, gritting her teeth.

The other ladies looked on in awe at how Eliza and her daughter handled the entire thing, not to mention standing up for themselves against the rumours.

Afterwards...the tea party ended without anymore problem.

*****

Before Iris and Eliza went home, they were talking with Emma and her mother Helen.

"I'm sorry, Helen for me and my daughter's behavior~" Eliza apologized while bowing her head a bit.

Iris followed her as well, "I apologize for the trouble I made."

"No no no~ it's fine~ I should be the one who apologized for Baroness Allura and her daughter." Helen sighed as she rubbed her temple when she remembered what happened at the tea party.

"You don't have to apologize either, it was entirely her and her daughter's fault for picking a fight on me and my daughter~ we just showed them what we are capable of~" Eliza spoke with a charming smile.

Helen giggled as she smiled at the both of them and nodded her head, "Your daughter look just like you when you are in her age, Eliza-sama ."

Iris looked up at her and blinked for a moment, "Like mother?"

"Indeed! Eliza-sama used to be quite rough~"

"R-rough??"

"Yes~ if you want to hear it~ I can share it with you, but only if you want to play at our place~" Helen quickly leaned closer to Iris and whispered it to her ear with her somewhat suspicious look.

But then...

"He–len~"

Eliza suddenly pulled at her ear, as if Helen was a naughty child asking to be punished

"O-ouch! I-it hurts Eliza-sama! I-i'm just joking!" Helen pleaded for her to stop to which she complied by releasing her fingers from her ear.

"Isn't that quite rude to say something about that."

"Hehehe~ I apologize, I just can't help it~"

Both Eliza and Helen lost in their own world as Iris and Emma watched from the sidelines then they both exchanged giggles to each other.

"I never thought I could see my Mother be like this~" Iris spoke, her sky blue eyes were alight with amusement.

"Me too~" Emma nodded in agreement and looked at Iris. "Iris-sama, thank you again for coming here and I apologize about Bridget's unpleasant behavior."

"It's fine, at least you know now someone like that exists."

"But still! you were amazing Iris-sama!"

"Am I?"

"Mhm!" Emma nodded.

Iris laughed a bit and smiled, "I don't think that was amazing~ compared to that, how about Ray-sama when he trained the boys?"

"Ray-sama is pretty amazing himself! but I guess that was 2 years ago...I think he might be on par with you now!"

Iris widened her eyes at that, 'Indeed...he might be on par or much stronger than I am...after getting the report from a week ago.'

"I see, then I shall do my best to become stronger than him~" Iris spoke while grinning.

"Yes! I shall support you! I-i know my magic is still weak compared to Onii-sama...but I shall do my best!"

"Then how about you study with me under Matilda-sama's teaching?"

"Fueh?~ is that okay?!"

"Mhm~ but I need a permission for that first though..."

"T-t-than-...."

"Huh??"

"Thank you Iris-sama!!" Suddenly Emma pulled Iris into a tight hug while her tears ran down her cheeks like broken dam.

"C-calm down, Emma-chan!" Iris tried to let her go but she couldn't since she hugged her so tight and so Iris just standing there, surrender herself to Emma's hug.

Eliza and Helen ended up giggling in amusement to themselves as they watched their daughters.

******

After bidding their goodbyes, Eliza and Iris went inside their carriage then rode their way back home.

On their way, Eliza spoke. "Iris, it seems you have something to explain before we arrived."

Iris fidgeted with herself a bit and slowly looked up to meet her mother's gaze, "Whatever do you mean, mother?" She smiled and blinked innocently

Eliza sighed and smiled, "I wonder who do you take me for..." reached her hand out to pat her head.

Iris giggled, "Well Aunty Helen did say that I resemble you~"

Eliza pinched her cheek then, "Who resemble who?~"

"F-fueeehhh~ I-i'm sorry Mother!~ let me go!~"

As Iris pleaded for mercy, her mother let go of her cheeks and smiled fondly at her.

"By the way, where did you get that sword?"

"Hmmm? You mean this?" Iris who was rubbing her cheeks, suddenly pulled out a rapier out from her [Inventory].

*CLICK*

*SHINGGGG*

When Iris pulled the rapier out from its sheathe, it revealed a dark blue blade underneath it that seemed to gleam like a beautiful crystal.

"How beautiful! An [Epic] grade rapier with three skills...how rare."

Iris blinked her eyes twice after hearing her appraised her weapon with no motion at all.

"But...I don't remember ever bought you this kind of weapon, neither your Father, so where did you get this?"

Iris looked away and started to fidget again.

Eliza crossed her hands as she noticed Iris was hiding something from her. "Iris."

"Umm..."

"You can tell me, I'm your mother."

With a sigh, Iris caved in and answered "I-it's from Ray-sama..."

Eliza blinked her eyes for a moment, "Eh? EEHHHH??! You mean that boy?! Are you serious?!"

Iris nodded.

Eliza sighed as she shook her head, "When did this happen?"

"Ummm...it was yesterday night after Onii-sama's party...the servant brought this to my room, along with a letter."

"Hmmmm...what did he say?"

"He...apologized for missing my last birthday and gave me this as a present." Iris cheeks reddened a bit as a faint smile bloomed on her face.

Eliza widened her eyes and smiled warmly at her, "I'm glad to hear that~"

"Mhm~" Iris nodded.

"Yes, i see, so that's how it is." Eliza hummed, closing her eyes, "Well then, if that's the case..."

"...Mother?"

Eliza opened her eyes and there's a dangerous glint in her eyes as a suspiciously sweet smile broke across her face, "If he makes you cry...I will make sure he won't see the sun ever again~"

"M-mother?!"

"Fufufu~ I'm just half-joking~"

'It's still...half...' Iris sighed and put her rapier back to her inventory then looked outside of the window then up at the starry night sky above them. As she watched it, her lips slowly curved into smile.

'Tonight..is beautiful.'

After that, they finally arrived at home safe and sound.

******

In the middle of night, where everyone has already fell asleep...

Two people were waiting right in front of the back gate of Welford's Manor, and their face was completely hidden under the cloak they were wearing

*CLICK*

*CREAK*

They looked over to the gate and noticed a little girl wearing similar cloak approaching them quietly. When she took off her hood, it turned out to be Iris.

"We have been waiting for you...Iris Ojou-sama."

The two of them greeted as they bowed their head at the same time after pulling back the hood off of their face.

One of them is Silvi with her silver hair and purple eyes and the other is a tall man with short brown hair, green eyes–Harson

"Thank you for the wait, Silvi...Harson...shall we go now?~" Iris asked and put her hood back on.

Silvi and Harson put their hood back as well, "Yes, Ojou-sama."

And with that, they went to the town together...

******

The town seemed to be as alive as it was when the sun was up. It was bustling with people walking around on the street, selling street food, couples dating, and friends gathering, and not to mention the lights from the buildings and the ones that lined the street which made the place looked even more lively.

Among the many people that went out to town at night, Iris and her attendants walked down some sort the back side of the street.

Shortly, they found a small pub when they walked a bit deeper into the back alley.

"Let's go." Iris led them in.

"Excuse me...Ojou-sama." Harson interrupted before they went in.

"What is it?"

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Harson asked as he could see that the place was creepy and dangerous.

Iris sighed, "Harson...I know you are worried, but this is where we could get some info about our enemies and besides, I have you two~but let's just keep it low."

"I see, I apologize Ojou-sama."

"Good." Iris replied and proceeded to enter the pub.

*CLINK* *CLINK*

The sound of bell announced their arrival when Iris opened the door.

The pub was pretty clean and tidy, the people around there were drinking and eating their food, mostly talking with amongst themselves and minding their business.

A bit further into the room, there was a man with a bartender outfit, the man has green hair and red slitted eyes.

The man was elegantly shaking a bottle to make a cocktail to the customer before him.

'That's him.' Iris thought and approached the said man.

The customers around them noticed their presence, some of them glanced at them curiously, noting their weird cloaked figures and hidden faces. Their curiosity was especially directed towards the small figure leading the two behind her.

Silvi and Harson stayed cautious, while Iris approached the man confidently.

*SHAKES* *SHAKES*

"Ahhh~ Welcome to my small pub, how may I help you dear little customer~" The man greeted them politely while still shaking the bottle.

"I need a drink." Iris spoke.

"Ojou-sama!" Harson hissed quietly.

The man stopped shaking the bottle on his hand to look at the little girl in front of him.

"A drink? Hahaha~ I'm sorry little girl~ I don't think this is the right place for you–"

"I want to order [Tears of the Moon]." Iris ignored him and instead spoke with a knowing smile.

The man almost did a double take at that, his easy-going expression fell, and even just for a moment, he was looking at her stiffly.

"[Tears of the Moon] is it...alright then, customer. I shall lead you to where you can get that drink~" The man suddenly bowed at her.

Both Silvi and Harson looked on with surprise evident in their eyes upon seeing the change of the attitude from the man before them.

"Shall we go?~" Despite that, Iris remained calm and followed the man in front of them.

The two of them found it weird but couldn't help to accept it, as they followed along with her.

******

*TAP*

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*TAP*

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*TAP*

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*TAP*

They followed the man from behind and stopped when there was a door right in front of them.

*CREAK* *CLINK*

As the door was open...

The man stood right in front of him inside an empty room.

The man turned around and bowed at the them slightly, "I thank you for coming this way my dear customer~"

Both Silvi and Harson looked on with surprise evident in their eyes upon seeing the change of attitude from the man before them.

"Shall we go?~" Despite that, Iris remained calm and followed the man in front of them.

The two of them found it weird but as Iris obedient attendants, they followed her close behind.

******

*TAP*

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*TAP*

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*TAP*

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*TAP*

They followed the man from a safe distance and eventually came to a stop in front of a door.

*CREAK* *CLINK*

As the door was pushed open...

The man stood right in front of them inside of an empty room. The man had slit-like snake eyes and green hair, but he had an enticing handsomeness that could draw someone in and slowly consume them.

Then he turned around and bowed at them slightly, "I thank you for coming this way my dear customer~"

Both Silvi and Harson tensed as the man spoke out first and also wondering where exactly the man brought them to.

Meanwhile, Iris just stood still and silent the whole time she's staring at the man.

'So this is him...'

Iris gulped a bit, as her skill forced her to be calm at his presence.

'One of the secret male target, the one who lurked in the shadow of this kingdom and gathered all kinda of information for his own benefit...the man who is said to have many faces...

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[The Dark Guild Master, William Hainsbourg].'

To be continue...