The morning after the tea, she decided to have breakfast in the kitchen with the maids and servants. That morning Grizsha cook a steam pork and fermented cabbage. Grizsha saw the sorrow inside Iris’s eyes.

He asked, “What happened to you, Princess. Here’s a chamomile tea and a chocolate cake to sweetened your day.”

“Hmmm, nothing. I just feel unwanted.”

“You know princess there’s a candy shop in the Callavan Market. I will buy you today, since I will buy for our provision for the week.” Rosetta said.

“Hmmm, may I come, Rosetta?”

“Not now, Your Highness. Pardon me, so many things I will buy. It will make you tired.”

“Alright.” She then went to orphanage after finished eating.

Before she arrived, Elijah and the twins greeted her at the garden, “Greetings to you Princess, the star of Callavan.”

“Oh, greetings to you, stars of Lleuelyn Dukedom!” they laughed, “Aren’t you supposed to be learning with Miss Paulette?”

“Sshhshs, actually today is our sister, Rhea, birthday. So, we want to give her a pretty scrunchy for her long hair.” Iaros said.

“And I have to keep an eye of them both.” Eli confidently spoke.

“Where will you get it?”

Kairos gulped, “On the market, Princess.”

“Just three of you? No adult?”

“Mmmmm…”

“I won’t tell if you let me join.”

The three boys discussed and they decided to let Iris join. They went through the staff housing and training barracks through small alley. It seemed that no one use it. To the side of the training barracks there’s a hole in the wall which lead to the woods. They then followed a small footpath to the street.

They walked and walked until they reached the market. First, they bought apples for snack. Then chicken skewers. They saw lollies and cotton candy, then decided to eat them. When they finally past an accessories stall, they buy scrunchy for Rhea.

Iris and the boys walked into a boutique. Iris remembered that she should buy a cape and thicker dress. With the help of the boys, she chose an emerald coloured cape and a simple velvet dress with same colour. The dress and cape should be taken tomorrow.

They decided to go home when it passed the noon. As they walk, they saw the accessories seller, a 70 years old lady was bullied by a bunch of knights. She was in disbelief. “How could some knights ask an old lady for money? Aren’t they have enough from the Duke? Or is it like Duke’s order? How rude it is!” She thought to herself.

She decided to approach them.

“Excuse me, why would a knight ask an old Lady money in Callavan?”

“Miss, it is a tax from the Duke! Do you dare to disobey the Duke of Callavan?”

“What? Tax? From the Duke?”

“Oh, are you new here, Miss? You must be surprised. Anywho, you look beautiful. May I treat you to a drink?”

“Certainly not!”

“Oh, arrest her. She dares to disobey the knights of Callavan.” When two of the knights started to try to catch her, Elijah and the twins stepped forward.

“How could you do this to Princess?”

“Princess? Oh, so you must be rich. Give us your money if you want to be free. You should pay tax too, Princess,” One of the knights started to step forward and pointed a knife towards the Princess and held her right arm. However, Kairos and Iaros caught his legs and made him fall. The Princess screamed, “Iaros, Kairos, come back.” In that split moment, Eli went to help them but he was kicked by another man.

“How can you kick a child?” The Princess pulled them towards her. When all the knights tried to beat them, they covered themselves. However, no hands touched them. Iris was surprised when she saw Iowyrthe, Judah, and Nicholos were there and arrest the men.

“How dare you to do this to a knight of Duke!”

“Duke who?”

“Duke of Callavan of course. We are his knights.”

“Knights of Callavan. Really?” Iowyrthe smirked, “Then let them meet the Duke.”

“Sure, Your Highness.” Nicholos spoke calmly, “Please welcome the Duke of Callavan, Iowyrthe Lleuelyn.”

The Duke opened his hood. Citizen in the market were bowing. The men who were arrested, trembled in fear. They did not expect the Duke himself will catch them.

Iowyrthe then turned to Iris, “How annoying. Can you protect yourself? Even you make the children protected you.” He spoke sarcastically.

“Princess, are you hurt?” Judah asked her.

“No, not at all. But please take care of them.” She referred to the boys.

The Princess, the boys, and Nicholos were about to leave first. But the old lady stopped her, “Are you the future duchess? Blessed be you. Blessed be us, finally a decent duchess for all of us.” The citizen cheered.

Iris blushed but she said, “No, I am just…”

The children shouted, “Yes, she is the Princess who will be going to be our Duchess.”

“I know it from my heart. Please accept this token of appreciation.” The old lady gave her a jewel box.

“There’s no need.”

“No, Princess, My Dear, in Callavan, we do not pay taxes, but we pay with our loyalty. Please don’t refuse a loyal heart, Princess.” Those black opal eyes lighted up.

“Then, thank you. I really appreciated it.”

They left Iowyrthe and Judah with the matter of the citizen.

Nicholos escorted her to the room, and said, “Your Highness, you will be banned to go outside the room for two days as ordered by the Duke. There will be two guards at your door. The food will be sent to you. The Duke said this was to protect you.”

“This is more like the Duke arrest me.” Nicholos was speechless to hear those remarks.

“Hmmm, Taek and Chan will be your guard.”

“Sure.”