Siren Lullaby

Iran, who was slightly embarrassed by his strangely thorny remarks, caught a word that was unfamiliar and stopped.

"Your…. Majesty…. Rubros?"

"Sir Alcheron!"

Then Misagio, who had been standing by her side silently as if she wasn’t there, shouted like she was having a seizure.

As Iran turned her head in surprise, Misagio looked at her and Alcheron alternately with embarrassed eyes.

'What the hell are you hiding?'

Regardless of the handmaiden's subtle pressure, Alcheron continued speaking casually.

"No way, did you really not know? It was none other than His Majesty, Admiral Rubros Khan Marez Orca, who commanded me to teach Lady Iran. Admiral, the second son of His Majesty the Emperor of the Orca Empire, and commander of the naval fleet."

(TL / N : So I searched how high Admiral was and Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army, the air force and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, or fleet admiral.)

"His Majesty…. the Admiral…. said that there was no need to call him His Majesty."

"Why?"

Misagio's cheeks were flushed with shame as he answered his question. Iran, on the other hand, was not in a position to consider it.

The answer to her second question came from Alcheron, not Misagio.

"It's likely because he thought Lady Iran couldn't be angry with him properly if His Majesty's status was known."

"What does that mean? What do you mean by `I can't get angry`?"

'Does it mean he's been deliberately tolerating my rage up until now? But why?'

With a brief sigh, Alcheron, who had been staring at her expression full of incomprehension for a while now, resumed his explanation.

"I had heard that the Admiral had done something terribly wrong to Iran before she arrived at the Imperial Palace. Moreover, he imprisoned you, the child of God, in the 'Judgment Chamber.' His Majesty seemed to be planning to conceal his identity and make amends until Lady Iran relieved her of her wrath."

Judging by Misagio's attitude with her head bowed and being unresponsive, it seemed that he was right.

After Iran stepped out of the chamber, she recalled his previous attitude.

'He watched me in the room until I woke up.... He approached me late at night and suddenly apologized.... Besides, when I went to see Delphi, he even guided me personally.'

In addition, instead of getting angry at her sarcastic remarks, he listened to all of her requests. It's gotten to the point where it's become somewhat of a burden.

'But that was all for the sake of atonement… Why is he such a naive person?'

Despite her lack of knowledge of this world, she was able to gauge how high the emperor's son's standing would be. And those in authority, Iran believes, are individuals who would rather suppress by force than recognize their faults. At least, that's what she saw in everyone after everything she'd been through.

After the death of her parents, her aunt, her only blood relative left, and the people who supported her as she pursued a career as a singer… They all tried to control her with the wealth and power she had. And she hated those who tried to suppress her in this way the most.

When she first met Rubros on the uninhabited island, Iran assumed he would be the same kind of person as them. He even threatened her life on their first meeting. However…

'He's somewhat different…..'

Even on the day she went to the beach to meet Delphi, he had a face that had been badly wounded by Iran's sarcasm. She tried to pretend as if she didn't know, but she couldn't get the thought out of her head that it was his sincerity, and not his acting.

'But why? For what?'

Is there any reason for someone with such a remarkable upbringing to act in this manner simply because he misunderstood and threatened an unidentified woman?

'Is the child of God such a great position, or is that man just weird?'

When Iran was furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, Alcheron, who was examining her face, spoke again.

"Didn't you ask His Majesty how to become a Goddess?"

"…"

What else is he trying to say?

Iran nodded slightly with anxious eyes. Then, another incomprehensible word came out of his mouth.

"Do you want to become part of the imperial family?"

“...what?"

'Why did the words 'imperial family' come out from his mouth?'

Iran frowned, as if she was unsure whether she had misunderstood him. He was a person who was less talkative than Admiral Rubros.

"What does being a Goddess have to do with the imperial family?"

"...You really don't know anything."

He sighed as if she were pitiful. A tendon bulged on Iran's forehead after she clenched her teeth.

She now knows for certain. His exact reason is unknown, but he has never been kind to her. No, it was bordering on animosity.

'Is it the pride of a high-nosed scholar? 'Or is it because of his loyalty to that guy?'

(TL / N : High nose means someone with a haughty or sassy personality.)

The value I was expecting from the words 'Genius Alchemist' had long since disappeared.

Iran had finally grasped the meaning of Rubros's smile, which he had given her in response to her request for a teacher.

'Yes, that's right. How can a person easily change? This is why first impressions matter.'

It was at this point that Rubros' favorability, which had been gradually increasing, plunged to below zero once again.

Alcheron certainly did not show his temper openly.

It is also true that he is a knowledgeable person.

But nevertheless, he is very! Veeerrryy! Realllyyy!

'Arrogant!'

In terms of sarcastic ability, he seemed to be better than anyone he'd ever met.

As a joke, I even thought that having a conversation with him would be the most effective treatment for patients with low blood pressure.

'Is this how it comes out?'

After taking a deep breath, Iran struggled to calm her raging emotions. Then, with a smile on her lips, she opened her mouth.

"Since I don't know anything, I guess I'll have to start with asking you this question. What brought Baron Alcheron to The Coral Palace?"

"...pardon?"

Iran's unexpected question caused Alcheron's brows to twitch slightly. Iran exaggeratedly sighed and mumbled to herself after confirming it.

"I have certainly asked His Majesty Rubros to recommend a person who would give me step-by-step knowledge about what I don't know in this world. But I'm sure there was some sort of misunderstanding."

At her next words, she could feel Alcheron's eyes swaying noticeably at her ensuing words. Iran continued to speak, staring straight into his eyes, as if striking a flag.

"I will not deny that you are the Imperial family's genius alchemist and that you are highly educated. But teaching someone, no matter how well educated you are, is a different story."

Iran rose from the sofa and looked down at him.

"No matter how pitiful I am, I can't expect someone who doesn't want to give me the intention to provide me proper guidance. I'll inform His Majesty on my own. It appears that Baron Alcheron will be unable to teach me."

Then, before hearing his answer, she turned towards the bedroom.

"I'm not going to escort you. At the very least, I believe you are ashamed."

She turned away from Alcheron after finishing her speech and proceeded inside her bedroom, which led into the drawing room.

Admiral Rubros was apparently deeply trusted and followed by a man named Alcheron. The fact that he had walked all the way here to educate the woman he didn't like said it all.

But what if this person is unable to carry out the orders that he has given himself?

'It's a bit disrespectful, but it can't be helped.'

It wasn't her style to take advantage of an opponent's weakness, but she knew she'd be upset if she didn't interrupt the baron's momentum right now.

In the first place, Iran did not hesitate to ask Rubros for a teacher, in order to understand exactly what God Mare asked for and avoid being ridiculed without reason.

'He will not easily apologize because he is proud. Shall I leave it like this for today?'

But then Alcheron's heavily muffled voice was heard behind Iran's back.

"...Once Lady Iran became a Goddess, Lady Iran would never be able to leave the Orca Empire."

Iran took a breath and waited for him to speak after hearing the unexpected words.

"You can’t even get married however you want. Only the imperial family is allowed to marry a goddess in the Orca Empire."

When he finished speaking, he bowed his head slightly towards Iran's back.

"I apologize for being rude. I won't ask for forgiveness. Then, I'll take my leave."

The sound of him opening the door and exiting the room was heard, but Iran was unable to move.

'Just now… What did I hear?'

* * * *

After Alcheron left the room, Iran managed to calm her confused mind and entered her bedroom.

Shinoe, who had remained in the drawing room and was putting the bedding in the bedroom, was agitated by Iran's heated atmosphere. Misagio, who was following her, was also bowing like a sinner.

Iran sighed as she sat on the bed. She is still unable to arrange her thoughts, but there are concerns that must be addressed first.

"Misagio."

".....Yes Lady."

Iran tried to speak as nicely as possible. She was simply following her superior's orders, and she was completely innocent.

"That guy…… I understand that he's an admiral and also the prince of this Empire. I appreciate you coming all the way here to assist me."

“..."

"However, if you truly want to assist me, you should not keep anything from me."

"...I apologize."

Misagio simply dropped her head, as if she had nothing to say. Iran was bothered by her stiff attitude. She couldn't be comfortable in this situation where she had to be angry at someone as old as her mother.

Iran liked Misagio. Despite the fact that it was only for a brief period, she exuded sincerity rather than coercion. But, more importantly, she couldn't get past this.

"I understand why you chose to hide the truth. But if this keeps happening, I'm going to lose faith in my maid."

"I won't let this happen again."

"I'm not asking you to be my person. At the very least, demonstrate your sincerity so that I can have faith in you."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She made no excuses for her mistake. The corner of Iran's heart tingled once more at that sight.

"I don't mind if you inform His Majesty about what happened today. It's not like there's anything to hide, and I'll find out soon enough."

"....I understand."

Iran felt an ache in her head and said with a short sigh.

"....My head hurts, so I want to rest. Could you leave me alone?"

"If you need anything, please feel free to call me."

Misagio solemnly bowed to her as she finished her speech and quietly exited the room with Shinoe.

Left alone, Iran sank in her bed, pressing her throbbing temples.

As her surroundings calmed down, she had time to collect her thoughts. She pondered slowly on what Alcheron had said.

"...Once Lady Iran became a Goddess, Lady Iran would never be able to leave the Orca Empire."

"You can’t even get married however you want. Only the imperial family is allowed to marry a goddess in the Orca Empire."

'Do you want me to be part of the Imperial family… Is that what you mean?'