Riddle in the Mist

Chapter 1 "Iris"

The Library was located at the left wing of the mansion. Iris was having a lesson in calculus. The course is not that easy so she need to pay attention to what her teacher teaches her at that moment. The teacher's name is Elisabeth Corden (a 25 years old professor with a grayish eyes and blonde hair). She is a professor from Michael's school. Their Father hired her to be Iris home teacher because Michael recommended her. He said that Iris will definitely learn lots of things from Miss Elisabeth. And just as what Michael predicted, Iris was able to learn a lot from her, base from her personal experiences. She also teaches Iris a lot of other things not only in the course outline that they discuss each day but also some philosophical ideas that she had. And I can say that will suit her, she's the best home teacher that Iris have.

In the middle of solving one of the mathematical problems in calculus, the sound of knocking thrice broke the silence. Behind the door the servant said "Excuse me Lady Iris and Miss Elisabeth, may I come in".

Miss Elisabeth replied," You may come in".

The servant opens the door and bow down for a second to show some respect then stood firm and cleared his throat, "Lady Iris, the young master from the Dashwood Family is waiting for you at the guest room." said the servant who was clearing his glasses with a white cloth.

Iris looked outside first before giving her reply. She doesn't really know what to do since it is unusual for Kai to visit her while she was having her home study under Miss Elisabeth. After thinking about what she should do, she looked at Miss Elisabeth while hoping that she will allow her for the thing that she's going to do for only once. "Miss Elisabeth is it alright if today's lesson will be my homework? I wanted to have a word with Kai since it is unusual for him to visit me while I'm studying."

Miss Elisabeth smiled at her as if she was sensing that Iris was really hoping that if she could let her go and meet Kai. She closed the book she was holding and replied "Alright since it's too cold today and you got some unexpected visitor I will give you a homework instead. It will be about the topic that we are currently discussing and also a list of topics that you need to read". She turns around to check if her planner was on her dark red bag.

Iris was overjoyed about it. She decided to do all the homework Miss Elisabeth will give later but what she was currently thinking was Kai. Iris turned her gaze at the servant who was waiting for the reply. He was a bit old but I can assure you that he can do a lot of things after all he was a top ranking servant based on Iris own rankings that was hired by their parents,

"Can you please bring Kai at our garden and tell him that I will meet him there." said Iris who was smiling and was excited to see Kai.

"As you wish my Lady", the servant closed the door and left the room.

Miss Elisabeth was able to find the White covered hard bound small planner. She opened the planner to check what lessons she won't be able to discuss for today. "Iris you need to study and read the lessons that we haven't discuss for today. I'll give you a list for that, as for now since you can hardly wait to see your visitor I will write the list of lessons that you need to read so that it will be easy for us to discuss it on our next meeting. Is that ok for you?" said Elisabeth after scanning the planner while writing down the list of lessons that Iris must study.

"Thank you Miss Elisabeth, I'll carefully study those lessons. I need to go now", said Iris. (I'm wondering if she'll never do it, but I have some faith on her that she'll do it, after all Iris is a hardworking child.). Iris stood up and left the room.

Iris immediately headed to Kai's location. The Botanical Garden of the family is located at the left wing of the mansion it will be easy for her to go there since she was already at the left wing. She also ordered a servant to get some tea for them and bring it to the garden. When she arrived at the garden, she saw Kai sitting while looking at the snow falling down at the crystal case of the Garden.

"I never expected that you'll come today Kai but even so, I'm happy to see you." said Iris who was about to take a sit at the other side. "Let's have a tea first. It's so cold lately so this tea will help us warm ourselves." she added.

Kai was not really in his unusual self, he was trying to hide his sadness since he doesn't want Iris to worry about him. He took a sip at the tea he was holding and took a few pause before deciding to say something (it was a clever of him to cover up his emotion but he was thinking about Iris)

"Iris I can't play with you for the meantime." said Kai with a voice full of emotions.

"Why? Did something happen? Kai?" (At that moment I can assure you that she was really about to cry but she didn't). She looked at Kai while waiting for Kai's reply. Her heart started to feel the tension and her mind thinks of all the possible negative possibilities that Kai might say.

Kai took a long pause this time he looked at the hot cup of tea he was holding. He could not deliver the right words he wanted to say to the little girl in front of him. He knows that it is hard for him to leave Iris alone all of a sudden but he need to say something to clear everything up.

"My father is not feeling healthy at all, so as one of his sons I need to help him manage our family's business. My brother is already helping him but it's not enough since the shipping business is a big one so my brother decided to get me to assist him." explained Kai. He was feeling down lately since for him Iris is a precious girl.

Kai can picture Iris' face upon hearing what he had just told to her. But for some remarkable reasons, an unexpected phenomenon happened. Iris smiled at him without hesitation. He doesn't know what happened to her but Iris was smiling like she had receives a particular message that lessen the tension she had felt.

"I'm glad it's not that big. I thought there something terrible happened to you but, don't worry about it. I will still wait for you when you decided to come and visit me here. I will always wait for you Kai. And I hope your father will recover soon." said Iris who was smiling so brightly to the point that she can melt the snow piling up outside of the garden.

Kai was amazed about what he had seen and heard but he can now conclude that the girl who he visits regularly became mature enough. He knows that Iris possesses a talent that is not yet discovered.

"I'm glad that my little girl has become very mature", said Kai.

Iris hugged him tightly. Then both of them shared a laugh. For Kai, Iris is a treasure that can only be seen by few people. After that, both of them spend their time together talking to each other. They didn't bother to check the time since the two of them cherish each moments that they have.

XΞ