The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 51

Following Iris, I took each step in a state of the greatest tension in my life.

No wonder, considering I was dressed as a woman and heading into the girls’ dormitory.

It was a crazy situation where, if my identity were discovered, getting caught immediately would not have been surprising.

Perhaps because of the tension, my throat kept tightening, forcing me to swallow repeatedly.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous, even during a group competition.

It was practically the most terrifying moment of my life.

‘There is a scenario where Lucas sneaks into the girls’ dormitory, but…’

Never did I think I’d end up doing it myself.

“Hania, we’re here.”

The moment had arrived.

When I lifted my head, the entrance to the girls’ dormitory came into view.

At that moment, I saw female students returning from school entering the dormitory.

Feeling uneasy under their gazes, I subtly moved closer to Iris.

If I stayed close to her, I would draw less suspicion, at least.

It was a defensive action.

Iris noticed and kept smiling mischievously the whole time.

I’d never seen Iris laugh so much in my entire life.

“Iris, you’re laughing too much.”

“Sorry, it’s just been a while since I’ve seen something so entertaining.”

Iris didn’t bother to deny she was enjoying herself.

Though for me, it was pure torment.

Still, this was for the sake of the scenario.

I had to endure.

“Let’s go in.”

In the end, I stepped into the dormitory with Iris.

The interior, distinctly different from the boys’ dormitory, came into view.

The structure itself was the same, and it was just a building on the opposite side, but…

For some reason, the atmosphere felt strangely warm.

‘Maybe it’s because of the scent.’

Unlike the boys’ dormitory, the faint smell of women’s perfume lingered everywhere.

“Iris, welcome back.”

From time to time, maids in the girls’ dormitory greeted Iris.

Iris casually returned their greetings, familiar with them.

“Miss Maid, doesn’t Hania look a bit different today?”

Suddenly, Iris asked a startling question.

As I turned to her in shock, one of the maids glanced in my direction.

Then she smiled gently and spoke.

“Your usual hairstyle seems a little different. Hania, this one suits you well, too.”

“Ah, t-thank you for noticing.”

I forced a smile, while behind the maid, Iris stifled her laughter.

She was truly a master of teasing people.

After the maid exchanged greetings and left, I hurriedly approached Iris.

“Iris?”

“You’re good at acting.”

“Are you hoping I get caught and face a difficult situation?”

“Hania doesn’t speak like that.”

The Third Princess was tormenting me.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

“You beat me during the group competition.”

Then Iris revealed the reason for her teasing.

“This is revenge for that.”

It was a sufficient excuse, but the way she said it, smiling playfully, only made it worse.

Iris, who suffers from nightmares every night because of Akzon, rarely shows her emotions.

Even the act of expressing emotions brings her exhaustion.

But for someone like her to laugh this much—it must truly mean she’s enjoying this situation.

‘…Well, it’s better if she laughs, at least.’

Considering I owe her for this situation, if it makes her laugh, I can endure it.

“Still, please don’t do this again.”

“Okay, I got it.”

If my identity were revealed, it would be troublesome not only for me but for Iris as well.

When I asked her to refrain, she agreed without hesitation.

“Hello, Lady Iris.”

Just then, a student passing by greeted Iris.

As the Third Princess of the Empire, Iris often received greetings from those she encountered.

The problem was, the voice sounded strangely familiar.

Golden honey-blonde hair, shimmering as though kissed by the sun, fluttered lightly.

Beneath it, her bright vermilion eyes sparkled.

Isabel Luna.

The moment I recognized her familiar face, my body stiffened instinctively.

“Hello.”

After greeting Iris, Isabel turned her gaze to me.

“Good evening to you too, Hania.”

Isabel was known for her friendly nature.

Among the second-year students in the martial arts department, there were few who weren’t close to her.

She also had a familiar relationship with Hania.

“Good evening, Isabel.”

I responded casually, and Isabel tilted her head.

“Hania, did something happen?”

“Happen? Nothing happened at all.”

“Really? But you seem quieter than usual today.”

As she said that, Isabel alternated her gaze between Iris and me.

What is it? I didn’t do anything suspicious.

At that moment, Iris made eye contact with me and subtly raised her arm.

That’s when I realized what I’d failed to do.

Hania always sticks close to Iris.

Having grown up as childhood friends and bound by a master-servant relationship, Hania always walked arm-in-arm with Iris wherever they went.

Isabel noticed this inconsistency and approached me cautiously.

“…Did something happen between you and Lady Iris?”

Of course, Isabel brought up the point.

Iris, still with her arm raised, stared at me intently.

Damn it.

Quickly, I closed the distance and wrapped my arm around Iris’s.

“Something happen between me and Lady Iris? There’s no way! If something like that did happen, I might actually die!”

When I made a teary-eyed expression, Isabel responded as if thinking, Ah, of course.

Meanwhile, Iris turned her head in the opposite direction, trying to stifle the laughter spilling out.

Her ears even turned red.

Something in me felt like it was breaking.

“I’m glad to hear that. Well, I’ll be going now—I have training today.”

So that’s why she’s in her workout clothes.

As always, Isabel was diligently focused on her training.

Even with tomorrow’s summer archery tournament coming up, she still made time to train.

Her passion was undeniable.

“It’s because of you that Isabel works so hard,”

Iris remarked.

As I watched Isabel’s retreating figure, Iris spoke softly.

She said it was thanks to me.

If that were true, I’d feel a bit proud.

“Thanks to me? All I’ve ever done with Isabel is fight.”

Of course, I couldn’t let that pride show.

“Yeah, something like that.”

Just how much does Iris see?

In the 29 playthroughs, Iris played the role of both the final boss and a heroine.

But even so, she remained a character full of mysteries to the players.

An enigmatic figure, made all the more compelling by what was left unrevealed.

The developers fully capitalized on Iris’s mysterious nature.

However, one thing was certain.

“How have you been sleeping lately?”

She suffered from severe insomnia.

“More or less,”

She replied.

Yet, the shadows under her eyes, likely caused by insomnia, were still visible.

“There’s a mysterious music box called Argol’s Voice.”

Perhaps because I’d often given her advice about ways to help her sleep, Iris listened intently with interest.

“It’s a rare item to find, but it plays music said to induce sleep. There’s even a rumor that it consumes nightmares.”

Iris’s eyes widened.

The main cause of her insomnia was her recurring nightmares.

A tool that could supposedly devour those nightmares would have an unimaginable effect on her.

‘Though the Flame of Determination would probably work best.’

This would be just a temporary measure.

Even so, it would help, at least for a while.

Of course, even this would lose its effectiveness over time.

Unless the root cause of her nightmares was addressed, Iris’s suffering would not end.

‘Once this mission is over…’

I’d have to start preparing for that as well.

“…How do you even know about something like that?”

Iris asked suddenly.

The information I’d shared wasn’t widely known, making it surprising that I’d be aware of it.

“I’ve done my fair share of studying.”

“For what purpose?”

“Well, of course, for you, Lady Iris,”

I said, smiling gently in Hania’s tone.

Iris blinked her large eyes and then, lowering her head slightly, lightly bumped her forehead against mine.

Her ruby-red, enchanting eyes were now so close they were almost overwhelming.

For a brief moment, the rose-like fragrance from her hair deeply filled my senses.

My heart seemed to sink for just an instant.

In a voice tinged with decadent allure, Iris whispered softly into my ear.

“Don’t tease me too much.”

Who started teasing whom first?

Iris slowly moved away.

‘If her unique trait weren’t Charm, I’d be surprised.’

She instinctively knows how to make someone’s heart race.

But aside from that, I realized my emotions weren’t overly stirred.

‘…Is this because of the Veil Bandages?’

I had a vague idea of which emotions the Veil Bandages were erasing.

“So, it’s time for a bath now.”

“I’ll do it in the room.”

Yeah, no. That’s not happening.

* * *

Back in the room.

I stayed put and behaved myself without stepping outside.

Naturally, Hania’s roommate was Iris.

So at least in the room, I could relax without worry.

“Haah.”

Maybe it was because of the hectic day I’d just been through.

Leaning against the window, I let out a deep sigh.

Iris had left, saying she’d be back after her bath.

Was she really not worried about what I might do in her absence?

‘Well, who in their right mind would try something against the Third Princess?’

Unless they had a death wish, no one would dare.

Growl—

The problem was, my stomach started growling, probably because I’d been so tense.

I turned my body from where I was sitting in the chair.

The soft, feminine scent lingering in the room was unmistakable.

Hania’s bed was a dizzying sea of pink, almost overwhelming.

In contrast, Iris’s bed was immaculately neat and tidy.

Their personalities were clearly reflected in their respective spaces.

‘I should’ve thought to bring something to eat.’

I had been so distracted that the idea hadn’t crossed my mind.

I’d like to ask Iris for help, but…

It didn’t feel right to ask the Third Princess for something like that.

‘Maybe I should just go out with Iris.’

I hesitated briefly before shaking my head.

Today, Iris was in a particularly playful mood.

There was no telling what kind of trouble she might stir up.

It seemed like a better idea to quickly head to the dining hall and ask for a sandwich instead.

‘It’s past dinnertime, so most people should be in their rooms.’

I quietly opened the door.

The hallway was quiet.

I resolved to make a quick trip and stepped forward.

“Huh?”

Just then, I came face-to-face with someone walking down the hallway.

The moment I saw her, my face gradually stiffened.

Because she was—

“…Hania?”

She was the one person who could see through the Veil Bandages.

Sharin Sazaris.

Of all times, it had to be now that I ran into her.