IVAGHD 05

Chapter 5

“You really have a sharp eye.”
“Well, of course. I didn’t hand over the trading company to Kadlen for nothing.”

Viretta’s mother praised her husband’s judgment, and Kalin chuckled, pleased with himself.

Even if an engagement was arranged between families, a marriage ultimately depended on how well the couple got along. The parents could set things in motion, but if their children rejected the match, nothing could be done.

And if the engagement fell apart, the relationship between the two houses could sour completely. Both families had been anxious up until that morning.

Now, seeing that the two seemed to genuinely like each other, they finally felt at ease.

Kadlen and Monain exchanged contented glances, pleased with their children’s match.

What they didn’t know, however, was that their “happy couple” had agreed to go slay a dragon together—in order to end their engagement peacefully.

“Lady Viretta is the woman of my dreams,” Iola had said.

An engagement where both parties had already agreed to attempt something more impossible than breaking it off—a dragon hunt—was, in its own strange way, a match made in heaven.

The afternoon came, but Viretta still hadn’t shown herself.

In the meantime, Iola wandered through the Medlit estate, chatting with the servants and learning more about his fiancée.

“Lady Viretta? Oh, she’s bright and energetic! Always saying the most interesting things. I mean, not serious things—more like witty ones.”

“She’s the most spirited of my children,” said one servant proudly. “Always eager to try new things—anything at all! Don’t worry, she’ll be back soon.”

“She’s quite the free spirit,” another chimed in. “Not bound by convention, very daring! Anyone with an open heart would find her delightful.”

“Strong? Haha, no, not especially. She’s just like any other lady—but she’s tough and never complains, so she’s not one to trouble others.”

“She’s always like a little girl,” someone added fondly. “Believes in wonderful, impossible things and runs about with such excitement. But she’s adorable, isn’t she? You two will get along just fine.”

The testimonies were consistent: Viretta was cheerful, lively, and full of energy.

Which, of course, was another way of saying she was a handful.

When people described someone as “bright” but trailed off afterward, the meaning was usually troublemaker—but lovable.

Still, the affection in their words was genuine. The servants clearly adored her—like a mischievous little sister they couldn’t stay mad at.

Iola could feel their fondness, and he was grateful.

He could easily imagine it now: that bold spirit in such a delicate-looking young woman, both admired and exasperating to those around her.

Then perhaps…

Perhaps her words that day had been nothing more than the brave declaration of a naïve girl—like a ten-year-old vowing to slay a dragon and rescue a princess.

A sincere dream, maybe, but still just that—a dream.

He hadn’t seen her all day, and the memory of yesterday’s conversation was already starting to feel hazy, like something out of a dream itself.

“Young master Iola, Lady Viretta is asking for you.”

A maid appeared at the end of the hall and beckoned him over.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Iola followed her to a sunlit room. When he opened the door, the afternoon light poured in like gold. In the middle of it, a lady turned gracefully to greet him.

“Good afternoon, Iola. Did you sleep well?”
“It’s a wonderful afternoon, and I spent the morning remembering your words—they felt like a dream.”
“Oh my, how sweet. I’m sorry I missed breakfast. I was busy preparing—and trying on my engagement dress.”

The gown she wore was far more extravagant than the evening dress from the day before—clearly the engagement outfit itself.

It was a stunning shade of violet, dyed with the most precious pigments, and adorned with glittering jewels that cascaded from her neck to her wrists and ears.

Lavish, yes—but the craftsmanship was so impeccable that she looked elegant, not gaudy.

“How do I look?” she asked with a twirl.
“You look radiant. But—”
“I also bought a few more gems! They’ll go perfectly with our engagement.”

Iola fell silent.

She was breathtaking—draped in silk and light, the very image of nobility. No other lady could compare.

But this engagement wasn’t meant to happen.
She had someone she loved… or so he believed.

“I thought it’d be best for us to see everything together before the ceremony,” she said. “Why don’t you try on your formal attire as well?”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“I’d like to see you in it. Wear all the accessories, too! Just like the real ceremony!”
“I’d rather not. My father would scold me for making a fuss.”
“I’ll tell Lord Monain myself. Come now—try them on, the precious ones too. I’ll help you pick which suit you best.”
“No, truly.”

At that point, though, Iola began to suspect something.

Maybe she had simply… given up.

Perhaps she’d resigned herself to going through the motions—like someone who once dreamed of slaying dragons but now accepted reality.

That, at least, would make sense.

Analyzing calmly, he took a respectful step back. If it wasn’t about dragons, he had no interest. Even the engagement itself didn’t excite him much anymore.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Iola,” she said playfully, dragging the lace hem of her gown as she approached.

Like a fiancée of many years, she looped her arm around his and leaned in close.

Then, with a soft whisper that struck like lightning, she said:

“Put it on—we’re going to run away.”

Iola’s eyes widened, and for a moment, his mind went blank. Then, recovering himself, he said quietly,

“If you insist… I could hardly refuse such a request.”

Right. Change of mindset. She’s definitely not ordinary.

Three days before the engagement.

It turned out to be surprisingly easy to slip out of the estate that afternoon, even with all the preparations underway.

All Viretta had to say was, “I’m going for a short walk with my fiancé,” and no one questioned it.

After all, who would imagine that a bride-to-be would flee—wearing her engagement dress—in broad daylight?

Seizing the perfect opportunity, Viretta strolled through the city arm-in-arm with Iola.

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you more time to prepare,” she said. “Don’t worry—I already set aside what we’ll need this morning.”

That explained her absence during breakfast and lunch.

She’d woken early to secretly pack and hide supplies for their journey. Carrying them openly would’ve drawn too much attention.

“So we’re… actually running away?” Iola asked as they walked.
“Yes. If we don’t get caught, we should be over the city wall by dusk.”
“And you plan to leave without telling anyone? Guests must already be on their way for the ceremony.”

The engagement was three days away. By now, people from every corner of the realm were surely en route.

If they disappeared now, what would the guests think? What would the families say?

Still walking, Iola looked over his shoulder in concern, but Viretta gripped his arm tighter.

“Are you really going to let the fear of embarrassment dictate your life? Once the ceremony happens, it’ll be too late.”
“But won’t it be disgraceful to run away now? Your father will be furious.”
“Have courage. At worst, they’ll call us the rude couple who fled their engagement—and people will gossip for, what, two centuries?”

Two centuries of infamy seemed… optimistic.

The Medlit engagement was a massive affair. Even if it was “just” an engagement, the guest list was enormous.
For the couple to vanish would be an unforgettable scandal.

Yet the way she said it—with such boldness—left Iola speechless.

Then, blushing, he looked at her with something close to awe.

“You’re fearless. I’ve been too focused on the immediate consequences. You’re right—over time, even shame is washed away like sand in the tide.”

Viretta forced a laugh, smiling through the nerves prickling at the back of her neck.

She’d half-expected him to stop her—to say, “That’s a bit too much, isn’t it?”

But no—he was completely, disastrously on board.

“Well then,” she said finally, surrendering to madness. “Once we slay that dragon, no one will dare to look down on us again.”

To hell with it. They’d think it through later.

With that, Viretta Medlit, hopeless braggart and accidental fugitive, marched boldly forward into disaster.