“Madam Jania, please excuse my impertinence,” Zici said. “If I’d known Lady Iris’s status, I wouldn’t dare accept her request. I shall excuse myself and find a suitable replacement immediately.”

Jania raised her hand. “Iris chose you. Therefore, you must be with her until the end.”

Zici lowered her head, trying her hardest not to smile. Madam Jania had noticed her. A dream came true! “Thank you for your grace. I shall do my best!”

Jani nodded and turned to Iris. “My favour isn’t cheap, but I’m sure you can repay it in due time.”

“I never asked you to help me.” Iris smiled. “I shall bake you some herbal cookies the next time we meet. Their quality will help you maintain your youth, your most precious possession.”

“My standard of beauty will prove challenging for you. What if you fail?”

“Then I shall repay it with my most precious possession, my knowledge.” Iris slightly tilted her head. “I came from a land of yonder, a place of foreign quality. My tales will guide you through my world.”

“Not your body or heart, but your knowledge?” Jania eyed Iris’s silhouette. “I shall refrain from evaluating your prize until our little gamble concluded. When I win, please describe to me every detail of your voyage, from the deep ocean to the high summit.”

Taking a deep breath, Iris said nothing. Though she wanted to tease Jania more, to get back at what she had suffered, she and Jania were still inside Prime Archive, surrounded by Jania’s bodyguards. Even if they felt nothing, shame would visit Iris. She couldn’t do something so intimate in public, not when someone was watching.

“Zici,” Iris said, “please guide us to a special lounge.”

“As you command.”

The group passed through a few sections of books. They occasionally stopped for Iris to skim through her books of interest. She gained a fair amount of understanding regarding various fields of knowledge, but only of their surface. The books on the first floor, though providing great introductions, revealed no deeper insights.

She had to gain access to the higher floors to obtain increasingly in-depth knowledge.

While digesting the information, Iris arrived at a large bronze gate, in front of which two hooded figures guarded. They each held a silver spear in their hands. Their disciplined stance broke when Jania approached them. Sensing her bright, dignified presence, they took off their hoods and raised their hands to their chest.

“You may relax,” Jania said as she held her hand toward Iris. “From now on, she will be my honour guest.”

“Jania, why are we heading toward the second floor?” Iris stared at Jania, who maintained her grin, then turned to Zici. “Zici, you’re my guide. You must answer me truthfully.”

“The first floor’s lounges don’t match your status, Lady Iris.”

“Which floor, then?”

Jania clapped her hands. “We shall go to the third floor. Iris, you’ll love it.”

“If you can come here every day unhindered, why did you appear in that small, impoverished library?”

“Maybe I go there to find you?”

Iris sighed. “Zici, let’s go to the third floor.”

After another round of going through the endless sections of books, Iris finally climbed to the third floor. The number of visitors substantially decreased. On the first and second floors, there were some rich, influential nobles touring the place. However, on the third floor, only the scholars and researchers remained.

These people, some Beastkins, some Elves, walked with books and papers in their hands, their eyes unfocused, deep in their thoughts. Their swift footsteps produced no sounds that could disturb their colleagues.

Everyone cooperated in their silence, each constituting a part of the forefront of knowledge.

Soon, Iris reached the lounge. Covered in red fluffy carpets, the room radiated serenity. Its spacious size comfortably admitted a team of ten, and its high-quality seats and tables allowed the most optimal reading experience. Despite having only three people, the room remained lively, just right.

“Please enjoy your stay, Lady Iris, Madam Jania,” Zici said. “If needs arise, please use this bell pull, and someone will come to take your request. Otherwise, there will be no interruption.”

“Once you leave,” Jania said, “go to your superior and tell them my name. From now on, come work on the third floor.”

Zici shuddered, but she did not forget to bow sincerely. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

As Zici’s excited voice rang, the room froze. She covered her mouth, sweats forming on her forehead. She quickly fled the room and shut the door behind her. The loud bang settled Iris, but she didn’t have time to consider such a cute action.

“Your Highness?” Iris blinked. “You’re a princess? Of Knoffvegent Imperial Family?”

“Forgive my late introduction, Iris.” Jania lifted the rim of her skirt and curtseyed. “My name is Jania Knoffvegent, the Fifth Princess of the Knoffvegent Imperial Family, the fifth candidate for the throne. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear friend.”

After pausing for a moment, Iris bent to her knees, but Jania stopped her.

“I won’t accept your pledge. You are my friend, and thus you must act accordingly.”

“But, Your Highness, you are—”

“Is our friendship lesser than our birthright?”

“I . . . of course not, Jania. We didn’t choose our birth, but we chose our connections. No matter what our status is, we will always be friends.”

“Then let us commemorate this moment with a hug?” Jania widened her embrace.

Giggling, Iris gently hugged Jania while resisting her urge to do something silly. She was in front of a princess of a kingdom, someone out of her league, someone untouchable. Iris’s trouble was already vexing. If she defiled a princess, she wouldn’t have a place in Eastern Continent anymore.

When the two separated, Jania softly sighed, disappointed. She shook her head and smiled, though discontent persisted her in gaze. She was waiting, but Iris did not do anything; Iris dared not do anything.

“I thought you would be more daring,” Jania said. “Are your adventures all lies? Compared to your tales, your temperament seems superficial.”

“I’m not someone you thought I were, Your Highness.” Iris raised her right hand and pointed at the ring finger, showing the engagement ring. “This ring is proof of my affection for my dear, dear friend. How could I break her heart?”

“She’s already gotten you?” Jania looked down. “I didn’t expect it to be so fast. You two are too compatible that I’m no match.”

“Did you . . . know whom I’m talking about?” Iris went to grab a glass and popped open a bottle of champagne. “To what extent is your knowledge of me? Have you been . . . stalking me? How inelegance.”

“It is for my safety; please don’t loathe me.” Jania also took a glass and handed it to Iris, who filled it up with sparkling, golden liquid. “When our minds muddle, will you do anything?”

“I can assure you nothing will happen.” Iris narrowed her eyes. “Please don’t tempt me. My control over my desires is wavering.”

“My control, too, is wavering. My body is a national treasure, something desirable and priceless. I do not hate you, Iris, and I do not mind your gaze either.”

Iris lightly breathed out. “Unfortunately, my lowly status means nothing to the imperial family.”

Jania pouted. “What about that librarian? Is she to your liking?”

“She is a diligent Mage Apprentice. Her theoretical knowledge is commendable.” Iris gulped down her champagne and stared at Jania, her cheeks slightly flushed. “What about you, Jania? Your Highness, what is your good point?”

“I helped you when you needed me the most. Is that not enough?” Jania pressed her hands on her chest. “I can give you wealth and comfort. Out of everyone, I alone have ample time for you. Our union will last so long as we live, and nothing will come in our way. Where is my chance?”

“Is that the capacity of the Fifth Princess or the capacity of Jania?” Iris poured another glass for herself. “I do not want the Fifth Princess as my partner. I want someone who can be with me despite our status, not someone whom I have to tread with respect because of our status. Will you abandon your legitimacy to the throne for me, even though I might leave you in the future?”

Jania’s hands gripped the champagne glass until a muffled crack resounded. Her bright green eyes narrowed, but she could not bring herself to accept Iris’s selfish, ridiculous request. She could not sacrifice herself for her affection; it was not her, and it would never be her.

“Your aim is remarkable,” she said. “With just a few words, you’ve peeled off my mask and forced me to confront my desires.”

Jania’s voice echoed. A trace of authority, of dignity, infused the drowsy, ambiguous atmosphere with solemnity. Iris quickly sobered up and regulated her Corruption Power, clearing her numbed mind. Her memory flashed before her eyes, and she blushed.

“Please forgive my impudent words, Your Highness.” Iris placed down the champagne, her eyes glancing at the bottle, trying to read its brand. “Your champagne proves too powerful for my tolerance. My inappropriate words have hurt you.”

“I take no offence. Your words illuminated me. Indeed, we are not compatible. Not now.” Jania also placed her glass down and sank into the couch. “As a gift, I shall help you with one matter. What would you like me to do?”

“I have no—” Iris paused. She didn’t have any request that required the help of a princess, but she didn’t want her friend to be in her debt. “I’m planning to join the Royal Magic Academy. I want you to write me a letter of recommendation. But the letter will not represent you, only someone of a suitable rank.”

“Consider it done. However, you’ll have to do your test properly, or there will be some suspicion regarding your admittance if you score too low.” Jania laughed. “I doubt you would, but I have to warn you first.”

Even if I fail the test, you’ll still help me join the academy? How influential. “Is the academy not of the Elemental Council? Your imperial family can influence its decision that easily?”

“Our hands reach everywhere, Dear Iris. Even in the place most unexpected, you might find us.”

There is a mole in the Court? Did the other senior members know this? Iris nodded. “As expected of the foundation for the Garcient Kingdom.”

“Sadly, we alone are not strong enough to be the foundation of our history.” Jania gripped the rim of her exquisite dress. “It is the Church of Seven Virtues that holds our kingdom high. If not for other forces restricting it, our imperial family might not have survived to this day.”

“This forbidden topic has just granted me a bounty.” Iris sighed. “Please don’t try to drag me to your side, Your Highness. Politic tires me.”

“It is an open secret of the upper echelons. Someone of your status will know about it sooner or later.” Jania clicked her tongue. “Moreover—”

Someone firmly knocked on the locked door. The rhythm hummed repeatedly as strings of codes. Iris quietened as Jania attentively listened before frowning.

Iris caught Jania’s shifting expression and stood up. “It seems Your Highness is not as free as you led me to believe.”

“I’ll make up for it later.” Jania turned to Iris, took her glass of champagne, and drank it all. “May our reunion be surprising and enlightening.”

As Jania left the room, Iris also drank her fill, but she did not exit the lounge. She called for her guide, Zici, to bring her some books about geography and cultures. It would be a waste not to take advantage of her privilege. The more information she acquired, the more options she would have.