Chapter 2-16

Isabel ran quickly in the direction Leon was pointing at. Behind her, Leon tried to catch up with Isabel. But occasionally stopped because of pain.

Upon arriving at the attic, Isabel saw several members of The Free Insurgents injured and unconscious.

"Who did this? Is there anyone helping Iris? Could it be..." Isabel said to herself.

"Iris! Iris where are you?", Isabel shouted while searching every room.

Looks like Iris isn't in the attic.

Isabel looked at the only remaining possibility which was the door leading to the roof where the sky garden was.

Isabel immediately rushed towards there. Sky Garden looked messy. Shattered plant pots, walls with holes from gunshots and bullets were scattered. It seemed that there was a fierce fight just now.

Isabel was increasingly worried and panicked.

"Iris! iris! Where are you?"

When Isabel walked to the end, she saw Iris from a distance. Iris was with someone.

And that person was carrying Iris and they looked like they were getting ready to jump.

Isabel ran fast after them. Tried to prevent it but too late.

The seconds when they jumped down, Isabel threw her knife.

"STOP!"

But her knife was easily parried. As the person parried her attack, Isabel saw his face.

Isabel hurriedly looked down. Joshua jumped easily while carrying Iris. And when it arrived below, they immediately disappeared.

Isabel had failed to stop them and lost Iris.

"Damn you, Joshua!"

When Isabel turned around, she saw Leon from a distance looking at her out of breath.

"Where's Iris? Who is Joshua?"

Isabel just sighed in annoyance and walked away.

Leon looked surprised.

"You…. lost Iris?"

Isabel was just speechless.

As if understanding Isabel's condition, Leon looked at Isabel with a worried look.

"Take it easy. It's been a long night. I will return to the library and ask the survivings to call for help in Lindheim."

Isabel walked downstairs without saying a word. Her eyes looked stressed. Isabel only stopped when she arrived at the guest room where there was a liquor cupboard specially reserved for guests at Red Peak.

Isabel took one of the boozes from the broken glass shelf and sat down on the sofa. She took a sip straight from the bottle.

Isabel held her head while closing her eyes. Her body felt exhausted after a busy night and he couldn't think of anything but wanting to rest. But Isabel's mind kept on flashing Iris and Joshua's faces.

"Wow, your choice wasn't bad. I'd recommend this one. Especially in this situation."

Leon said as he took other boozes and poured it into a glass and handed it to Isabel. Looks like he just came back from the library.

Isabel gave Leon an annoyed look then downed the drink Leon offered her.

"Not bad."

Leon took another glass and poured it for himself.

"I've asked my butler to contact Duke Albert who is in Lindheim."

"You were confident enough to contact the uncle of your future fiancé that you lost her. Shouldn't you be more worried about your reputation?"

Leon took a deep breath.

"If it helps to find Iris quickly. Then I do not mind. The sooner the better for safety. Moreover, Duke Albert was good friends with Archduke Rondo. Maybe that will help too. Of course…. you already know that, right?"

Isabel finished the drink in her bottle then got up to leave.

"Are you going already?"

"There's nothing I can do here. I'd better go to Lindheim to find out some information."

"I see. It's only natural that those words came out of from Iris' guardian.", Leon answered, raising his glass to Isabel and then drank it.

Isabel just sighed in annoyance. Before leaving, she went over to the liquor rack and took out another two bottles.

======

Upon arriving on the ground after jumping off the roof of the sky garden, Joshua immediately checked Iris' condition.

"Are you all right?"

Iris nodded.

This time Iris didn't close her eyes as they jumped down. It seems she's getting used to it.

Joshua led them into the forest where he put his horse.

"I only have one horse so we will ride together."

"That's fine. Besides, I'm also not good at riding. Where are we going?"

Joshua paused for a moment and looked thoughtful.

"It's getting too late and we need to rest to think about our next steps. I know a safe place not far from here. But…. it was just a simple place and unfit for nobles. You don't mind, Iris?"

"I don't mind Joshua. I have decided to go with you."

"Okay. We've agreed."

Joshua then easily lifted Iris and sat her on the horse. Iris almost screamed in surprise because Joshua did it suddenly. After that Joshua took a seat behind Iris.

Joshua tightened his coat that he had given Iris earlier.

"If you're cold, just say. I will slow down my horse."

Iris nodded. After making sure that Iris was protected and comfortable enough, Joshua spurred the horse they were riding on. The cold night breeze immediately hit them.

Iris didn't know how long they had been riding and drowsiness had begun to overtake her. She leaned her body against Joshua and slowly started to close her eyes.

=======

Malcolm sat up holding his head. The effects of the Devil Trumpet are starting to fade. His consciousness started to come back. He vaguely remembered Isabel bringing him to the inn. After that, she left to return to Red Peak.

Malcolm walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

"Shit, they hit me in the face.", he muttered while washing his face and cleaning the wound on his face.

Malcolm decides to catch up with Isabel. There were footsteps at the door. He quickly hid near the door ready to attack.

There was the sound of a key being forced open the door. The sound of the key ringing sounded for a couple of time. It seemed that whoever tried to open the door seemed to be having a hard time.

Krick...

Finally, the door opened as well and heard someone's steps.

Malcolm was getting ready to attack the person who tried to come inside.

!

Turns out Isabel was the one who came. Her face looked flushed. The smell of liquor wafted.

"Isabel, you startled me!!"

"Who else other than me is coming?"

After saying that Isabel stepped in unsteadily and almost fell over.

Malcolm immediately held her while closing the door.

"You're drunk huh? How many bottles have you drunk?"

"Shut up. I have a headache."

"What happen-"

Suddenly Isabel kisses Malcolm. After a while Isabel let go.

With her face downcast, Isabel sighed.

"I lost her, Malcolm…. Iris….I mean Lady Elizabeth…. And I'm too tired to search for her…"

Malcolm lifted Isabel's face and looked at her.

"Then you need a break. Forget everything that happened. Just focus on me."

After saying so, Malcolm kissed Isabel's lips. They kiss each other passionately. Isabel undressed Malcolm while Malcolm carried her to the bed. Malcolm kissed Isabel's neck then unbuttoned her clothes.

"You know, Isabel. I've been waiting a long time for this moment."

Malcolm pulled Isabel's bra off. He passionately licked both of Isabel's nipples in turn while squeezing her breasts. Isabel stretched and moaned softly. Enjoyed everything Malcolm did.

Even as Malcolm moved down intensely licking her lower body, Isabel moaned with pleasure.

That night, both were immersed in pleasure and did not care about everything that happened.