Just thinking about this, Roa couldn't help but feel a little helpless. Looking at the girl's innocent and romantic expression, he couldn't help but wonder if she had planned this all along.
The rest of the competition wasn't very interesting.
Not many adventurers could defeat the knights. Even if they defeated the knights in silver armor, they still had to face powerful opponents like Russell.
Although Russell had lost face in front of Roa, being defeated with one sword and looking weak, that wasn't actually the case.
Only when the adventurers who had defeated the knights took the stage would they remember the fear of being dominated by Russell.
While the others were fighting each other below, the two above were somewhat idle.
The young man stood straight, his gaze casually sweeping across the stage below.
The girl sat in her elegant long dress, her posture graceful. Her gaze didn't linger on the battles below. Needless to say, she was typically absent-minded, simply spacing out.
Roa watched for a while and lost interest, turning his gaze to the girl's delicate, doll-like face.
Her smooth golden hair was scattered around her waist. Looking at her beautiful hair, Roa wondered if it would look even better if he braided it into a pigtail.
His contemplation didn't last long. Iris noticed Roa's gaze and turned to look at him, seeing him lost in thought. She couldn't help but ask, "Brother, are you angry?"
Iris's somewhat nonsensical words made him slightly stunned. He turned his gaze to her and asked in confusion, "Huh?"
"I didn't tell you about this today. Are you angry?" she asked, feeling a little uneasy.
Her uneasy appearance made Roa smile. He raised his eyes, his light golden eyes meeting her pure eyes, and casually said, "If you were afraid of me being angry, why did you do it?"
Iris was slightly stunned. Realizing what he meant, she bit her lip slightly and said with some grievance, "I just want to be with you more, Brother Roa."
Roa remained noncommittal, looking at the still-heated competition below, his expression still calm. He simply said, "Is that so?"
And then said nothing more.
They both fell silent for a moment, looking at each other and then averting their gazes.
Roa wasn't angry. He wouldn't get angry over something like this. And he quite liked Iris.
She was cute, a little clever, simple-minded, and kind-hearted.
It would be a lie to say that such a girl wasn't lovable.
Their silence didn't stop the passage of time.
Iris's left hand caressed the ring on the ring finger of her right hand, her slender fingers feeling the patterns on it.
The ring was the most important thing to her. It was a symbol of betrothal. Whoever obtained it would be able to become her husband in the future. Of course, the ring was still in her hands, so in a sense, she could freely choose her husband.
She wore the ring every day, and in her spare time, she would touch it, feeling its cool touch.
But this time, for some reason, when she caressed the ring, she inexplicably thought of Roa.
They had only met for the first time, they hadn't spent much time together, and they were still strangers.
But for some reason, she wanted him to stay by her side, to be with her.
Thinking this, she secretly glanced at Roa. For some reason, she had an impulse to give the ring to him.
But when she saw his calm expression, the thought was quickly dispelled.
He had seemed reluctant when she suddenly wanted him to become her knight, so if she suddenly said something so abrupt now, he would definitely be disgusted.
Iris was strong. She could face any powerful enemy without changing her expression. She could rely on her own efforts to make everyone think she was a qualified member of the Royal family.
But she was also fragile. She was afraid of being rejected by him again.
In the end, she gave up on the idea.
Roa didn't know what she was thinking. The exercise below was about to end.
Iris sat in her chair, looking somewhat dazed. Roa walked up to her, put his hand on her shoulder, and said, "Iris, what do you want to do this afternoon?"
Iris snapped out of her daze, turning her gaze to the hand on her shoulder.
Roa was slightly stunned. He asked strangely, "Iris, do you not like this?"
Iris shook her head, feeling the strong and powerful hand on her shoulder, and a sweet smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
She said slowly, "There's nothing I don't like. I like everything that's yours, Brother."
Roa helplessly covered his forehead, rolling his eyes at her and saying, "Iris, don't say things that are so ambiguous."
"Is that so? But it's not ambiguous," she said.
Iris still smiled, but she was also a little surprised that she had said such a thing.
But when she saw his helpless expression, she felt relieved.
Perhaps she wanted to see him show more of such expressions.
Roa didn't continue to follow her words, but repeated his question again.
"Iris, what do you want to do this afternoon?"
Iris fell silent. The silence didn't last long before she leaned back in her chair, saying weakly, "This afternoon? I have classes. Etiquette class, piano class, and painting."
After she finished speaking, she didn't say anything more, but her clear eyes clearly showed a hint of dimness.
Roa didn't let the silence continue.
Looking at the knight order that was already withdrawing below, he slowly said, "How about I take you out to play this afternoon?"
Iris's originally listless expression instantly lit up when she heard the words "go out." She sat up from her chair, regaining her original spirit, her eyes filled with anticipation. She couldn't wait to ask, "Where are we going? Can we go outside?"
Roa nodded slightly, his expression still calm. He simply said, "Wherever you want to go. Wherever you want to go, we'll go."
"Really? Is it really okay? Wouldn't it be bad to skip my afternoon classes and go out to play? Big brother would definitely be angry if he found out, and Father would scold me too," she said.
Iris looked hesitant again. Looking at her, Roa couldn't help but lecture her, "Iris, if you want to do something, just do it. Being hesitant isn't what a wielder of the Holy Sword should be like. Iris, tell me, do you want to go?"
Iris's eyes sparkled as she said, "Iris, Iris wants to go out. Iris doesn't want to stay here. The Royal palace isn't fun at all."
Roa nodded in satisfaction, "That's all there is to it. If you want to go, then go."
They quickly reached an agreement. Roa would help Iris sneak out of the Royal palace.