I Became a Gladiator in the World of Gender Reversal

82 – Excommunication-1

“You’re awake.”

When I came to my senses, Iris with a bright smile was waiting in front of me.

Is this a dream? She hadn’t seen her for a long time, but she never thought she was someone who could smile so innocently.

“Uh, huh? Are you awake? Are you awake?”

Oksana was startled and touched my arm. At first glance, it seemed innocent, but it seemed that there was a hidden intention to satisfy my own selfishness.

“Are you alive?”

“No, you won’t die from being hit with that…”

The look of Oksana’s hair moving in anticipation was so cute that I patted her head without realizing it.

As soon as I touched her hair, I thought, ‘What have I done?’, But unexpectedly, she accepted my touch meekly.

“It was a good sword fight. It was really… Impressive.”

“If yes, thank you.”

However, it was difficult to adapt to Iris’ changed attitude.

To think that she cared for me because she was helpful in diplomacy with the Northern Kingdom, her eyes were too friendly.

“The way he didn’t give up even in the face of defeat and fought until the end to find what he wanted. I sincerely admired him.”

“Yes…”

If he came out with such an authoritative attitude, there must have been some intention.

I wonder if I’m trying to catch her in a difficult atmosphere to treat her coldly and then make unreasonable demands from her. She may have to straighten up.

“How long have I been lying down?”

“About a few hours… According to the therapist, it seems that there will be no aftereffects left on the body.”

“I’m glad.”

To be honest, it could be said that I was a little bit lucky.

When I was blocking Oksana’s attack, I was really full of anxiety about what to do if something broke somewhere.

“However, it is slowly getting dark. I have already sent a call to the Colosseum, so I think you can rest comfortably at the imperial palace tonight.”

Seeing her affable demeanor made me feel more anxious than relieved and warm.

Her demeanor changed so drastically that I wondered if I had subconsciously hypnotized her.

“Alcohol! Have a drink!”

“Oksana. No matter how much, if you make Evan too tired…”

“It’s okay…”

Oksana will not stay in the imperial palace for the rest of her life. She was her guest forever and for days. She was the one to go back to if she was or she was in a few weeks.

Considering my schedule, today could be the last day I met her.

Then at least, I wanted to make sure she didn’t regret it.

“I just woke up… Are you okay?”

Iris asked me with a worried look. She just couldn’t get used to it.

“I’m tired…But I’m a little hungry.”

After laughing awkwardly, I accepted Oksana’s request.

“Wow! Then what are you doing until then… Ouch!”

“Oksana. The official event we have to participate in in the Empire. Didn’t you tell me everything before you arrived here?”

“That, that’s…”

“Evan needs to wake up too, and the maids of the empire need time to prepare for the drinking party, don’t they?”

“Ugh…”

Alexandra lightly lifted Oksana’s ear and carefully lowered her head while looking at me.

“Well then, let’s see.”

“Yes…”

“See you again!”

After saying hello to Oksana, who was dragging her by the ears and not stopping her mouth, I was left alone with Iris.

“I didn’t expect you to listen to this request… Are you sure you’re okay?”

“What is that…”

I thought it would have been better if the ‘excessive request’ she would make of me would have been an appointment this evening.

Since the intention was unknown, it was difficult to say anything carelessly.

In the awkward atmosphere, Iris was the first to speak.

/////

Iris looked at her Evan slowly.

He is not something to be wary of, but a man worthy of respect.

“Dear Miss Oksana, do you have your heart?”

“It’s so…”

Evan was coughing so hard that his left lung was throbbing.

He should have been glad he didn’t have something stuck in his mouth.

If you had tea or alcohol in your mouth, you couldn’t even guess how many meters the liquid would travel.

“No. In the first place… She’s the northern princess, right?”

Seeing her Evan looking at her with her bewildered eyes, Iris’ heart beat a little faster.

“That… Will require some tricky conditions, but it’s not impossible.”

“Really?”

“Evan is a true man of the Empire. And, among the men of the Empire who live in Selam, there aren’t many people who want to marry a northern princess.”

“Hmm…”

“As long as our imperial family and her northern royal family give and receive enough understanding, and the strong will of her own people… It won’t be impossible for her to bring her back.”

“Was that enough…”

Evan scratched his head, then shook his head.

“No. It’s not that far yet. Miss Oksana is young…”

“You’re too young, you can’t feel it with the opposite s*x. Is that so?”

“For now.”

Iris still couldn’t understand her own feelings. Why is Evan delighted when he says, ‘Women who are too young have no feminine charm.’

“How’s your relationship with Miss Dana? It might be rude to say this, but… How’s the progress?”

“…Yes?”

Evan tried to figure out her intentions, holding her head halfway up, but it wasn’t an answer. And, she had nothing to hide.

“It’s going well.”

“What about the other women? Are you going to look at Miss Florence… Or just one woman?”

Numerous question marks hovered over Evan’s face.

“First of all… I don’t think it has to be… I don’t think so. I’m sorry for Dana… But undeservedly, I think there are too many people who like me.”

“I see.”

After hearing her words, Iris was able to understand her own feelings.

She was delighted. Since it was an ugly feeling, it was not a level that could be covered for moral reasons such as betraying her trust.

She still had a chance. Then, the only thing left for Iris was to run in front of her.

In the end, it turned out like this. She couldn’t help but realize why a woman in love would give her all to a man without hesitation.

It’s beautiful. Her eyes that are wary of her, her will to not allow others’ eyes to intervene in her own life, and her mind to go through with what she wants to the end.

“I know that saying things like this doesn’t mean much, but do you have any conditions you want from a woman?”

“Yes?”

“It’s not just money or family, well. Age or… Including other factors.”

“If it’s the person I love and can love me, nothing else matters much.”

In the midst of countless seemingly meaningless questions, he gradually let go of his guard and revealed his inner thoughts.

“Well, it’s not like I don’t look at other elements, but to be honest… All the women I’ve met in this world have been beautiful. Not one was left out.”

“No one left out?”

“…Yes.”

From noble mtl dot com

As Iris smiled sinisterly, Evan’s wariness increased. He paused to think, then he shouted as if he had realized something.

“Now, wait a minute. I think I understand this… No way, Princess. You, no way…”

Iris’ complexion darkened. Perhaps, it may have been too blatant.

No matter how hard she made up her mind, it wasn’t her intention to reveal it right now.

At least when she’s sorted out all of her own relationships and is ready to accept him-

“Are you trying to attach one of the women of the imperial family to me?”

He pressed Iris with her triumphant expression, but her princess let out a sigh of relief within her.

It was an inference that was infinitely close to the correct answer, but it was difficult to be completely correct.

“It’s similar. By any chance, don’t you like it?”

“Your own opinion is the most important thing. Meeting forcibly, like an arranged marriage, like being pushed around is unacceptable. That’s something I can’t accept no matter what you promise.”

“Hmm…”

“Me too, meeting a member of the imperial family is a bit burdensome. It might look a little funny, but between people who completely love each other…”

It’s love. Iris slowly repeated his words.

It is so idealistic and so sweet. When a person with such love embedded in his head acts, can he radiate such warmth?

Her feelings were unmistakably love. Now there is no power left to deny or grounds to refute.

However, it was still a question whether he would ever love her. Her human emotions were unpredictable, and it was difficult to objectively think that she was enough to be loved by her.

The body is still innocent, but that doesn’t mean the past disappears. High status and power will not be seen as sweet charms to him.

“What if there was a woman who truly respects Evan and would die if she didn’t meet personally?”

“Is there such a person?”

Iris kept a smile on her lips as she answered Evan’s question in silence. Evan pondered while biting her lip.

“There’s nothing I can’t do as long as it’s a meal… But if this is the princess’s request, you’ll have to help a lot. Those who disturb the Colosseum, haven’t disappeared yet?”

“She should be able to handle that much on her own.”

“Ugh, I don’t like her either. It’s taking advantage of her. I’m not even interested in her.”

“That’s it, she’s on her own. She won’t have to spend so much of her time…”

Evan was shaking. Iris, with her impudent face, aroused his sympathy.

“If you do her a favor, she will surely repay you with gratitude, even for a small meeting.”

“Then… Hmm. I’ll think positively for now.”

“Thank you.”

Iris wanted to scream her cheers as her throat exploded, but she managed to mask her joy with a ‘sweet smile’.

It was a small step, but Iris moved for her happiness.