50 The festival

"There is such excitement in the city. It is nice to see such a festive atmosphere here, right?" Iris looked down at Oreta. It was decorated with flowers and flowing banners that colored the city in a rainbow delight.

Iris was sure her partner was enjoying this sight as much as she was.

"It is certainly something. I have never seen this city this cheerful before. It is difficult to see it as the same Oreta I grew up in" Nicole's voice held a whisper of longing and regret in it.

Iris chanced a look at the other and almost frowned.

Nicole held a faraway look in her eyes, her face still troubled. The silver-haired guard had worm the same worried expression on her face for a few days now and it worried Iris.

Mostly because she had not been able to spend any time with Nicole to clear up the misunderstanding between them. Nicole had just been too busy but refused to tell Iris what it had been about.

Today had been the first day Nicole had any time for Iris. Nicole had approached Iris herself as well.

"Listen, Nicole, about that night we spent together -" Iris tried to ask but a hoard of incoming children stopped her.

"Iris, come quick. Sultan Rose is calling you for the ceremony. Also, Lady Hua is almost done and wants you to check the preparations for the ceremony" and just like that, the opportunity was gone.

Iris felt frustrated but her face refused to show it.

There was tugging at her dress, an indication for Iris to hurry up and go with the children. Iris could not disobey that command.

"Go with them. I will follow along with you for now. We can talk once everything is done for today" Iris passed Nicole with a grateful smile.

The last few days had been exhausting and made Iris miss the easiness of that night spent together with Nicole. Iris had not realized how much she missed that intimacy with the other.

"I am sorry for this delay" Nicole did not look angry and that reassured Iris.

The following day had been as hectic as one could imagine. There had been a lot of preparation to be done and even more to be re-checked.

Iris felt dead on her feet but had to keep on moving for the sake of completion of her work. Nicole, thankfully, followed her the whole way. The female looked almost amused as she watched Iris work herself to her death.

"Hey Iris, you have time for me? I want to have a small chat with you as well" Iris felt Nicole halt behind her.

"Orpheus now is not the right time. We will talk more once we leave for the Jade cleansing ceremony" there was amusement on Orpheus's face but it also held a hint of something else.

"Lady Maira, can I help you with something instead? As you can see, Iris is busy right now" there was a coldness in Nicole's voice Iris had not heard before. It seemed as if Nicole had a problem with Orpheus.

Had they interacted before? Iris had never seen them interact but the possibility of it being possible was not zero as well.

"Nah, it's alright. I will just wait till we set off. I still have a few things to take care of so I will see you later" Orpheus left just as easily as she had arrived and the feeling of doom lifted as well.

Iris felt Nicole relax once the other left.

"You alright?" Iris asked, not turning around to face Nicole just yet. She wanted to give the other her space for the time being.

"I'm alright. Lady Maria just spooks me sometimes" Iris shuddered as those words hit her ear. They had been spoken directly in her ear in a low voice.

Just when had Nicole gotten so close? Iris could feel the other's presence right behind her now and it made her tense up instead.

"Sorry. Was I too close?" Iris wanted to tell Nicole not to step back but it was too late now. Nicole had already taken the step back and the heat of her body was gone from behind Iris.

It also felt weird to comment on the situation now that it had passed. So Iris decided to keep her silence and let the situation pass on its own.

There was still work to be done after all and the ceremony had already begun.

"Here. we took care of everything else but this. Miss Maria has highlighted the part you need to do" Iris felt surprised when Lady Hua passed her an ancient tomb.

The language was the same she had been studying from Orpheus and Iris decided to concentrate on it.

'System, translate everything here'

It was not the first time Iris was the system in action and translate that text. But the effect was the same as when she had first seen it - magical. The words on the tomb twisted themselves and formed into the common tongue.

"Let the ceremony begin. The new court is about to be birthed here and all we ask for is the blessing for it from Isis" it was time to face the formalities.

There were eyes on Iris, looking at her every move. But they did not make Iris feel self-conscious. They looked at her filled with trust and Iris knew she could not disappoint these eyes.

So she let the magic go and followed the tomb.

The court ceremony had begun and it was finally time to make the journeys to the old court.

It was tradition to seek the court god's blessing when a new branch had to be established and Iris was the one responsible for this branch.

"I have the crystal with me. Should we start moving now?" it was the sultan that held the holy jade on the cushion.

"Right now? I thought you said that we had to leave in the evening for the ceremony? I still have things to do" Iris hissed out as she looked at the crown.

She spotted Nicole pretty soon and made eye contact.

"We should not wait around here for long. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can return as well" The sultan was not wrong.

But Iris did not want to. She wanted to wait a little longer and have the conversation with Nicole before she left.

She did not know why but it felt as if Iris would not get another opportunity to have this chat with Nicole if she missed it this time.

She looked at Nicole for guidance but only got one word in return.

'Go'

Iris read those words as Nicole mouthed them. He was telling Iris to go and complete their duty. They would have time for that talk later as well.

And Iris chose to take the other at her face value. Her work was important and Iris could not leave it be.

"Understood. Let's leave for the original court now" the decision was made and the small party was ready.

There would be only four of them this time - Iris, Lady Hua, the sultan, and Orpheus. The small party would be the one to carry out this journey and Iris could not help but feel nervous about it.