Iris was in the garden right behind of Welford's manor, drinking a cup of tea, under the beautiful sky and surrounded with flowers. It was her day off from training.
She was accompanied by her two servants, Silvi the maid and Harson the guard, standing side by side.
Iris noticed Harson kept stealing looks of unease when he thought she wasn't looking and that's when she decided to glance at him.
"Is there something wrong, Harson."
Harson flinched and flushed a bit in embarrassment when he was caught staring. "I-i am sorry for my rude behaviour, Ojou-sama. I wasn't trying to—"
"You weren't rude, but I could feel that you have something to say to me ever since that night." Iris replied before he could answer.
Harson quickly looked away, bowing his head in shame.
"It's fine~ I'm not mad or anything. It seems like you are curious why would I made a deal with that sketchy person right?" Iris already guessed of what he was thinking.
"Y-yes." Harson replied.
Iris giggled, "Fufufu~ don't worry about it, I can determine someone's personality and I can tell you that he is quite of a trustworthy person."
Harson still found him doubtful, "But what if he is a bad person? He's someone from Underworld, the dark side of the kingdom. I am sure he is planning something bad to you Ojou-sama!"
"Stop it, Harson! You are being rather rude in front of Ojou-sama!" Silvi glared at him while she continue pouring the tea for her young lady.
"But Silvi!–"
"Are you doubting Ojou-sama words?" Silvi began to give him this death stare.
"N-no...I mean..." Which made Harson stepped back.
"Silvi, that's enough" Iris interrupted firmly and Silvi looked taken aback.
"My apologies for raising my voice, Ojou-sama..." Silvi bowed apologetically.
Iris sighed, sipping on her tea, "It's fine, Harson is the type to be easily worried about others, he has nothing but good intentions but he's also...rather naive."
A small smile broke across her face when she saw Harson scratched the back of his neck, looking down to his feet while he's at it
"But it's true that we cannot prove whether that person is an ally to us or not...and we don't know if they can provide us the right information or trying to set us a trap." Iris finished her cup.
*CLINK*
Then she put the cup back on the table and tilted her head to look at her guard, "Harson, do you remember what we talked about before we made the deal?"
"My apologies Ojou-sama...I don't remember entirely." Harson answered her with honesty.
"From the moment we talked about the rumors...he already admitted that he loves money, correct?" Iris asked him.
"Y-yeah. he did say that." Harson replied.
"And he also said [what kind of merits does he get from ruining our family]?"
"Do you think someone like him capable on destroying our great family?" Iris spoke to him.
"No...but he might pretending to be like that and helping someone else to destroy The Welford's family!" Harson retorted.
Iris looked at him and sighed, "You are too naive, but it's true...we can say that he might provide some information about us and then also gave it to the others."
"Y-yeah!" Harson replied but somehow he felt something a bit off about this conversation.
"But don't you feel odd? if he was the person who would do something like that...why would he proposed us to get all the information we need, within a day?" Iris giving him more hint.
"Uhh..." which made this poor guard confused.
Iris smiled, "At the time I add up the money, he became nervous and suprised from the attack he couldn't see."
"When a person feels cornered, they will immediately surrender and plead to get out of the situation."
"For instance, he should have proposed a much longer day in this instance, maybe four or five days or longer. Additionally, he might shorten the day by one or two days if we give him more money."
"But when I started paying him 100 gold for three days, he seemed a little nervous. Why? Because one gold can purchase an entire month's worth of food."
"But when he realised that his opponent was a child, he began to lie, telling us that the money wasn't enough for them to provide us with the information within three days."
"From his perspective, I am just a noble child who is locked in her birdcage and knows nothing about the world."
"Which is why, I was able to predict how much money he would offer, just because of my childlike appearance,"
"Maybe around 300 gold or 400 gold, since that would be enough for him to get anything he want."
"But before he could raise his voice, I swiftly cut him off by raising the money. I offered him 1000 gold to bring me the information within two days."
"Now then, in your opinion, how did he feel when he was unexpectedly presented with more money than he had in mind?"
"Ummm..." Harson looked stumped but he's trying to understand where this conversation is going.
"Heh, you sure need to learn more about people, my dear guard Harson." Iris commented.
Harson sighed, finally giving up since he couldn't find an answer, "I'm sorry Ojou-sama."
Iris smiled at him, "To answer for that question...what he felt is something that we all share about."
"What is that?" Harson asked.
"[Greed], when someone were given something bigger than what they thought, they began to show their true desire."
"They will lose control over their ability to think rationally to get the things they want." Iris explained.
"And so, let me ask you...did you see his face when I proposed that?~" Iris reminded him of the scene that happened during their negotiations.
Harson started to remember, when Iris so easily dumping out all of those money, he could see that Willam became flustered.
But instead of smiling or showing some feelings of wanting to take that money from this little girl, he was in deep thought and become silent for a moment.
"Get it now?~ he show his true desire, his personality as a cautious person who also full with pride when negotiating with someone~"
"He would never expected a little girl like me would corner him like that and have that much money to begin with, and that provoked him~" Iris smiled proudly.
"In that moment, I hurt his pride and in return, he responded with proposing something unexpected as well to counter me back~"
"And that that is...by telling me that he can provide me the information within a day."
"That's why, you need to learn more about people Harson, don't think that everything can be solved with violence and sword~" Iris explained with a wicked smile.
After hearing her explanations, Harson and Silvi looked at her in awe and also shivered a bit when she smiled like that.
"Understood." Harson answered her obediently.
"And from that answer...I can reasonably conclude he is the type of person who will keep his promise, when we reach the deal."
"Though, at the same time they cannot take back their words after how much I paid them with a large sum of money~ fufufu~" Iris giggled as if she was saying something normal while smiling innocently like a child.
"Do you understand now?~" Finally, Iris ended his explanation.
Harson was still in daze from trying to process her explanation, "E-eh? Y-yes I understand."
"Good~" Iris went back to sip her tea once more.
Harson couldn't utter any words after that but that also made his feelings to serve her got even stronger.
Silvi glanced at her and couldn't help the smile to form on her face, but then she widened her eyes a bit as if she just realized something.
"But Ojou-sama, where did you get that much money from?" Silvi asked her with a reasonable question.
Harson realized it as well, "Indeed...Where did you get that much money Ojou-sama?"
Iris blinked when they asked the same thing and put her cup back again on the table.
"Eehh? You don't know?" Iris looked at their confused looks.
"Ahhh~ since you ask, I forgot to tell you both that I recently made a deal with Master Matilda~" Iris explained.
"With my grandmother?" Silvi asked.
"Yes, recently I gave her some ideas for brand new magic tools, which had been popular these days."
"In return for those ideas, I will receive 20% of her monthly income for the next two years." Iris explained her.
"I never heard of this." Silvi narrowed her eyes in surprise as she slowly poured tea into her empty cup again.
"Well we both signed to not leak it to anyone else unless they are people we knew and trusted."
"And Mother approved of me to get my personal bank account." Iris replied.
"I see...then my apologies for asking, Ojou-sama, may I know how much did you get from her?" Silvi asked again.
Then Iris gestured her hand to make them come closer to her to whisper something...
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"EHHHH!!?!?!!"
From that, the whole manor can hear just how loud their yell were.
******
Iris and her followers came into the pub again at their promised time and now they were inside of that room where they met William for the first time.
"Good evening~ William~" Iris greeted cheerfully with a happy and easy-going face.
On the other hand, William was sitting on his chair with heavy bags under his eyes along with his underling–Jeff who was standing beside him.
"Aahhh...Good evening indeed...Ms. Iris." William greeted her back while yawning.
Iris giggled and smiled at him, "You look exhausted, William."
"Heh, who's fault is that." William grumbled and noticed something was wrong with her servants behind her, "But...what is wrong with those two?" Then pointed out on them.
Iris glanced at Silvi and Harson who looked utterly shaken to the bone about something.
"So many zeros...." Harson muttered.
"Mm." Silvi mumbled in agreement.
"Ehehehe~ nothing in particular, don't mind them~" Iris waved her hand away lightly to dismiss his concern, while smiling sweetly.
"Well, whatever." William suddenly threw the document out on the table.
"Here's the information you need regarding the rumor and Allura's family. It seems they are connected with each other." William explained to her.
"Hmmm." Iris slowly opened the document and read the informations contained within.
"Seems like they planned this out long before they met this unknown sponsor...and they are aiming to ruin the Welford's family by targeting one of the family member." William explained to her to addition of the information that he gotten so far.
Iris calmly read it, "And that is..."
"The current [Duchess Welford, Eliza Luth Welford]." William called her mother's name.
Iris didn't respond along with Silvi since they knew all along that someone is targeting her, except Harson who just found out about it now.
"The Duchess?! Are you serious?!" Harson asked in shock.
"I tell you nothing but the truth." William smiled proudly while yawning again.
"I hope for your sake you're not lying..." Harson threatened as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.
Jeff was about to prepare for something too but both of their masters raised their hand.
"Harson, stop." Iris commanded calmly.
"Jeff." William said as well.
The two of them relaxed for a bit and tried to focus on the conversation at hand.
"That's one cranky guard you got there...he didn't trust me at all~" William chuckled as his slitted eyes opened a bit.
"Well if not the fact you are the [Dark Guild Master] I might have the same thought." Iris commented truthfully.
"That's quite harsh~" William replied.
"Yeah~ even though he can be quite hasty with his action, but at least he is the most loyal one among the guards I selected along with my maid~" Iris
"O-ojou-sama." Harson looked at her with a pleased twinkle in his eyes, "I'm sorry for my behavior! I shall obey your order!"
"Thank you Harson~ you are such a good boy~" Iris praised him.
"Y-yes!" He beamed and everyone in the room could see the imaginary tail wagging furiously on his back at her praise.
'Is he a dog.' Is what they thought.
William shook his head as he chuckled, "Well I understand...and as you know, I am the master here. My ears and my eyes are everywhere, so you don't have to worry about me lying about the info I gave you."
"Hmmm...I trust you for that, but, can you tell me the reason why would they target her instead of the rest of us? I wanted to know from your perspective." Iris decided to ask him.
William's face looked stiff but he ended up loosening it with a smile.
"Well...I can tell from a simple observation, but promise me that you keep your guard to stay there."
"I promise~" Iris replied to him.
William sighed and began to explain, "First is your father, Henry Von Welford is the second best [Master Swordsman] of our kingdom, regardless of his strength, his body is also immune to almost every poison as well, so assassination would be pointless."
"Second is your older brother, Albert Dragh Welford, is one of the geniuses that represented your family and its heir. But unfortunately, it won't affect anything if he died because they have you."
"And finally you, the young lady of The Welfords that is believed to surpass your older brother. They had some info that you bested most of the strongest soldier in your territory but of course, if you die, rather than putting a disarray in your family, it will ended up giving them strength to push forwards, and The Welfords would be much stronger than ever."
"Now we move on to the Duchess, your mother...she is both amazing on her beauty and magic...I heard that the family adores you more than anything...but what I see is that your mother is the center of the happiness in your family."
"From that...if she was gone...all of you will lose that happiness, your father losing his the love of his life...while you and your brother lose a mother at such a young age."
"It can be concluded that the most important family member in Welford is the Duchess Eliza."
"So...what do you think?~ Does my answer satisfies you?" William finished his explanation and then smiled cheekily.
Iris looked at him and sighed while rubbing her forehead, "It seems I underestimated you a bit too much...I gave up."
"Ojou-sama!" Harson exclaimed, still couldn't believe this man's words.
"Thank you very much~" William bowed gracefully.
"It is true Harson...if my mother gone, it will throw a disarray towards our family...Onii-sama would feel very lost since he was born first before me and Father loved her so much that he would risk everything towards the one he loves." Iris spoke grimly.
"Remember that Onii-sama and Father always listen to her everytime they tried to act recklessly."
"Y-yeah." Harson replied.
"Which mean, Mother had become the center of our family...who had been keeping us together." Iris concluded.
"That is why, we must prevent her death as soon as possible."
"Because I don't want to see my father and onii-sama to be thrown into depression over her death, do you understand, Harson?" Iris explained while glancing at him.
"I understand, Ojou-sama..." Harson couldn't help but accepted it, looking down to his feet defeatedly.
"So? how do they plan to kill my Mother?" Iris asked William.
"As far as I know, my mother is still the best Mage under the guidance of [the Witch], so if there was any assassination before, they would be rendered useless to her." Then she explained the fact that her mother cannot be killed with just simple assassination method.
William shrugged his shoulder, "True~ but from what I heard, they seem had planned to assassinate her with something special."
"A special poison." William muttered.
"A poison?" Iris raised her brows, pretending to look surprised. "Do you know what kind of poison they use?"
William sighed and laid his back on the couch, "Well that's the problem...since we were short of time, I couldn't manage to get the information regarding that poison."
Iris giggled, "Fufufu~ it is a shame but I guess it's true, since you did offered to finish it within a day." Iris' words stabbed William's heart, once again poking fun at his pride.
William felt hurt from her words, "Ughh...but at least I did found out who had been supporting them and where do they get all of their money from." And counter her with another information.
"Oh, then who is the mastermind behind this meticulous plan?" Iris smiled, prompting him to go on.
But when William about to say the name, he suddenly looked nervous and went silent for a moment.
"....."
"Well?" Iris asked him once more.
"Their sponsor is..."
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"One of the [Underworld Six King]." William uttered their title.
"—?!" All three of them looked at him in shock as soon as they heared that name.
"W-what?!" Harson asked him instead of Iris who tried to remain calm.
"Yes, the one who supported is a woman who known to be the Queen of the Underworld...the one who seduced men and control almost everything around this kingdom with her beauty and her wit."
"Her name is...[Minerva]."
"[The Femme Fatale, Minerva]." William spoke her name.
Iris widened her eyes a bit, since she's more than familiar with that name.
'[The Femme Fatale, Minerva]...to think the queen of underworld herself is the one who have been supporting them.'
'But at the same time...she is also the one who backed and tought real Iris back when she is on her Villainess phase in the game.' Iris thought of it for a moment.
'She gave her ideas on how to harass the MC...and almost killed her to the point of torturing her.' Iris sighed.
'But now I understand, how did such a kind little girl like Iris had become [Villainess] in her story.' Iris immediately concluded it.
'So she's the one who have been manipulating her life through the shadows.' Then she clench her fist.
'How....unforgivable.' she thought and it translated to her expression, showing a hint of anger on it, but...she remained calm again.
'Though, I never thought I would meet her this fast...'
At that moment, Iris giggled and smirked a bit. "Heh."
"—?!" William and the people who stood behind her, was struck by confusion due to her sudden weird behavior.
'W-why is she laughing?' William knitted his brows in mild suspicion, asking to himself.
Iris smiled widely, 'Aaahhh~ I guess this is my luck...not only I could save mother...I could also get rid of this bitch who turned Iris life upside down.'
Her smile got even wider and turned more wicked but her moment of thinking was interrupted by Silvi.
"Ummm...Ojou-sama? Is there something wrong?" Silvi asked her.
As Iris snapped back to reality after being silent for a bit too long.
"Ahh! Sorry sorry~ I was thinking of something else, nothing you should worry about~"
They could tell she is lying, though they don't want to ask any further.
"Okay...if you say so, Ojou-sama..." Even so, Silvi still looked at her in concern, while Harson was more concerned about this woman who was sponsoring her enemy.
"Ojou-sama...you don't have to worry, I am your sword...I will struck down this woman for you." Harson vowed and Iris knew he meant it when she looked him in the eyes.
Iris smiled, "Why thank you~ but you don't have to worry about it. Since the one who will be dealing with her..."
Iris smile fell and replaced by a thin line, "Is me." When sudden her body exuding this dark intense aura.
Which made them surprise for her to release her killing intent just like that.
'W-what is this?' William was surprised by the sudden change from her.
"How dare she planning to kill my mother..." She murmurred, her voice nothing but icy cold and dark.
William and Jeff gulped down seeing this little girl's sudden 180 degree change of attitude.
But Iris sighed a bit to calm herself down and took out a large pouch from her [Inventory].
*THUNK*
Then throw the pouch on the table.
"Well it is time for me to go, thank you for the information and here's the reward, just as promised, 1000 gold coin." Iris stood up from her seat.
"A-ah, Yes...thank you for choosing our service~" William thanked her, schooling his expression and put up his business smile.
"And before I go, in this document...is there anything left that I need know?" Iris then stopped for a moment before she turned around.
"I don't think i have but in the document, there's the details of our investigation about Allura's family and their connection with those Underworlders."
"But if you're asking about where exactly they produced the poison...I think it is in there too." William explained.
Iris smiled at him, "Ara~ that's perfect~ you read my mind~"
William sighed, "Well if I can't do that, I am unfit to be a Dark Guild Master~" then he replied while bowing his head.
"Good, keep up the good work then, and I shall take my leave~" Iris put her hood back on.
But as they were about to leave the door.
"Wait!" William called them out.
"Hmmm?" Iris turned around to look at him, "Yes? Is there anything you need with me, William?"
William were surprised when she know what he was going to say.
"Uhhhh...would you hire me again in the future?" He looked oddly flustered for some reason, "I promise, I won't let you down!"
Iris raised her eyebrows, "Is there a particular reason for you to ask me that?"
William somewhat flustered by her question, "I-i mean...not really but you know that I am the best at this kind of job, don't you? I think I have proven myself enough."
Iris touched her lips with her index finger, "Hmmm~ well I will think about it later."
"But look forward, because in the near future, I might made a new request for you." Iris replied.
William's eyes sparkled, "Then I shall accept any request you offered to me." Then spoke proudly.
"Even an assassination job?~" Iris spoke as her tone turned cold for a moment with a smile on her face.
"Huh?"
William and Jeff were taken aback when they heard such words coming from a little girl.
'How much does she–' Before William finished his thought.
Iris quickly cut him off, "How do I know?~"
"Don't think that you are the only one who have eyes and ears on everything, that's why becareful on what you said~" Iris smiled knowingly, as if she read his mind.
William gulped and sighed, "Hah...to think you would be using my words against me."
Then he smiled, "Sure, I understand! I shall look forward to it."
Iris smiled and turned around before she bowed gracefully in front of them, "Then gentlemen~ I bid farewell~"
And finally, she left his place, while being followed by two of her servants.
******
On their way home, Silvi and Harson couldn't understood her intention which disturbing their thoughts this whole time.
Then they looked at her in concern as they followed her.
"Ojou-sama." Silvi start called her first.
"Hm?" Iris glance at her.
Silvi find it weird since she never seen Iris change more than this, which shook her head, "My apologies...may I ask you something?" And asked her.
"Sure, you can ask me anything~" Iris replied.
"If...you really do met this [Minerva]...are you...really going kill that her with your own hand?" Silvi asked, looking extremely worried.
Iris didn't stop her walking, "Of course, and if I don't...Mother...you and everyone else I hold dear will be in danger."
"I don't care if I dirtying my hands, if it's meant to protect what's dear to me...."
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*SWOOSH*
The night breeze blew through them and the hood that covered her face showed a glimpse of her shaded look.
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Red...
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In a split second...her blue eyes changed into dangerous shade of red.
"....I'm willing to destroy this Kingdom, even if the world try to go against me." Iris added, there's a grim expression that a little girl wasn't supposed to have....the bloodlust she showed gave a chill down to her maid and guard's spine.
Silvi and Harson widened their eyes, seeing the master they served could create such an expression like that.
Iris slowly blinked and back to normal as her eyes changed back into blue.
A sweet smile broke across her face as she urged the two of them to continue their walk.
"Well, let's get hurry or else Mother and others will be worried of us~ and we also have lots of work to do~ so let's go! Go!~" Iris beamed, skipping a bit on her steps while Silvi and Harson just followed her quietly
'Ojou-sama...just what kind of future did you see...to make that kind of face.'
Silvi asked to herself while looking her small back.
But then she shook her head to dismiss the thought 'Nevertheless, I will follow you no matter what...because Iof the oath I made that day you found me.'
'Which is why, if it's for you. I will do anything even I have to dirty my hands again.' Silvi pledge to herself once again.
And so, to wrap things up, Willam managed to provide Iris with necessary information they need and to top it off, he's also revealed the name of someone that would play quite a role in her future.
As for the plan they have prepared so meticulously....
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It can finally be...executed.
To be continued...