‘Thanks to Ernest…?' What did she mean by thanks to Ernest? What had they been talking about?

‘What do you mean, Katri?' she asked.

Katri looked at her calmly and said, ‘You are more expressive than you used to be, Lady Iris.'

‘Really?'

‘You usually had an expression of sorrow.'

‘An expression of sorrow…'

Was it because she was sad about using the love potion? As a result she was depressed and it showed on her face to the point that Iris looked strange? If so, she had to be more careful, otherwise Katri will begin to notice that something was wrong. She could not decide if the was mortified or pathetic, Iris lowered her eyes.

However, contrary to her mistress' thought, Katri said, ‘My lady, I think the you now is much better.'

‘Why?'

‘Although you are strong, you're still only twenty years old. While I respect the fact that you're not overly emotional, you will get tired someday from suppressing yourself.'

‘Sometimes, you also need to depend on someone. I think it was very hard for you back home.' Katri said sadly, but then she continued, ‘Now, I am very happy with you now. You have begun to be freed from your protective shell little by little as you spend more time with the King.'

Katri, who deeply cared for her mistress, cried a little.

‘Thank you, Katri.' Iris said. She really was like a mother to her; her existence warmed Iris' aching heart.

Katri wiped tears hanging from her eyes and gave a sigh, ‘When the Countess said she would decide your husband, it made my heart cold.'

‘I'm sorry I worried you, Katri.'

‘No, it's fine. As a result, you were able to meet your perfect match. So the end is really better than anything else.'

Before the royal ball a month ago, before he took the love potion, Ernest had been a distant figure; the King who ruled over all. Now Katri was saying that he was the best match for Iris. Yet, Iris felt someone like Ernest, who had the highest status, handsome and intelligent would be the best possible match for woman on those conditions alone.

Maybe that was not what Katri was trying to say. She must truly believe Ernest was the best partner for Iris.

‘Seems so…' Iris replied with a small smile and turned her gaze out the window at the scenery flowing by.

It was as Katri said; Ernest under the influence of the love potion was Iris' ideal man. He did not mind her stern look, or was never contemptuous when she wasn't obedient or when she retorted to something he said.

He did not care she worked for her money by making lace. When she showed him her creations, he praised her effusively sometimes patting her head making her blush. Above all, he wanted her to rely on him more, teaching her every night.

He was the one who had brought her the peace she had sought.

Suddenly realising it, Iris' face crumpled into tears; she suddenly felt very thankful to Ernest.

Even though, he cherished Iris because of the effect of the love potion, in the time she had spent with him, Iris had started to think that maybe even after the love potion wore off, he would treat her with the same kindness and understanding as he did now. Even if he returned to his previous version - not good with women; she felt that she would continue to live a peaceful life protected by his kindness.

But this kindness would not include a deep love for Iris. Why did that thought make her want to cry?

It wasn't like her to be so weepy. She took deep breaths and chewed on her lip, desperately trying to calm her mind. She stared out the window not really seeing the autumn trees flowing by.

Katri's soft plump hand covered hers,

‘It's alright, Lady Iris.'

‘Katri…'

‘He loves you so much; I don't believe it will ever turn to the situation you fear. I'm sure his feeling won't change at the ball either.'

Iris gave her a broken smile; she couldn't tell Katri the true cause of her anxiety was the love potion.

But...the monthly royal ball was in a week.

At the ball, Iris' engagement to Ernest will be officially announced.

Leticia will be coming, of course; she was Iris' sister and Matthias' wife.

She hadn't seen Leticia since the last ball.

Katri must think that Iris feared Ernest will lose his mind to Leticia like Damian did a year and a half ago.

But Ernest was under the effects of the love potion. As long as that was continues, he would not fall in love with Leticia. Even if with Leticia's sweet and cute appearance, even with her tendency to induce a desire for protection, she could never steal Ernest's love for Iris.

How ironic…

Although, Iris feared that the love potion would wear off, she was glad of its effects if it meant Ernest will not be taken away by her sister. When Iris realised she was being selfish, she gave a self mocking scoff.

But on Iris' face it looked like a tearful smile.

‘Lady Iris, let me tell you something,' Katri said wrapping Iris' slender hand in her soft ones.

‘What is it?'

‘In my experience, not all men in the world are idiots.'

She told Iris of her own experience with men, as she spoke Katri's eyes took on a glamorous brilliance.

‘...So Lady Iris, you should be calm and smile as a lady who is the most proud and most beautiful.'

Iris wondered why; maybe it was because Iris was a clumsy person.

But it seems like there are a lot of black-bellied people around Iris. While she was appalled, she was also relieved. She smiled as the carriage pulled to a stop at their destination; Mrs Macy's tailoring shop.