Iris could only feel the guilt continue to rise as he spoke, saying she had nothing to be sorry for. He didn’t even know the half of it and yet here he was reassuring her even though she had lied to him yet again. What made it worse was the stares she could feel, the awkward looks and whispers between themselves that the King was professing his love to some street rat. A member of the rebellion no less and she worried for his reputation knowing just how much hard work he was putting in to rebuild everything in the right way.  

Hearing the admission of love Iris had to bite back another sob as she kept her arms around him, eyes closed in hopes to hide away from the world and the people that surrounded them. Her mind going haywire wondering what she should do, the silence wasn’t helping either as she felt like everyone was making a judgement just adding to how self conscious she felt right now in the moment.  

A part of her wished she was back in Jacobs condo having not made such a stupid decision, she was about to ruin a lot of things for Cas which she never wanted. Selfishly however, she was really happy to see him once again and she focused on hiding the twinge of jealousy she felt towards the other girl that was here. Cas thought she was dead, and he was a King no less, he had to move on and forge relationships else there’d be no heir and no succession. Still, Iris couldn’t help but feel that way towards this woman especially as she knew that this woman had to be of high standard. Someone the people would want to see him with.  

Pushing all those thoughts aside she bit her lip at his next words, they did have a lot of catching up to do and she wasn’t quite sure what to tell him. Unless she could get him to promise Jacob wouldn’t get into trouble? Hesitant to follow just as the guards where to follow his orders she felt Cas tug on her hand which prompted her to move. Trying to avoid everyone's gaze she couldn’t even bare herself to look at Jacob, let alone the girl that had been brought here with him.  

[color=f49ac2]“Cas... are you sure?”[/color] Unable to stop herself from asking that burning question, he would understand more than anyone that having her here. Stating she was a guest in front of the security team and that girl it would spark the rumours, his very image could be tarnished. [color=f49ac2]“I don’t want to make things complicated for you again.”[/color] As much as she wanted to be by his side if it made things difficult for him, she would step aside, she would force herself to be content in knowing he was okay. It was that kind of thinking that had kept her from seeking him out for so long, accompanied by the horrid injury that took time to heal.  

Even so she followed him to his room still in awe that he was really there, and that he still had such a strong emotion towards her after all this time apart. This would be it; this would be the chance to be completely honest with him. If she lied it would only come back to haunt her and he could very well in turn come to hate her for it and she had to trust in him, each time she didn’t and tried to do it by herself it ended up badly.  

[color=f49ac2]“I’ll tell you everything that happened, but I need you to make a promise for me.”[/color] Iris smiled slightly as she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, she still stood by her decision of not wanting to get Jacob into trouble and she would try to get Cas to promise that at least. Jacob wasn’t a bad person, he wanted the best for Cas much like she had, and she didn’t want to run the risk of Cas not wanting him around. Cas was a King no less and it could be hard to trust those around you, but Jacob would never wish harm on him and did everything he could to protect him, and she didn’t want Cas to lose that.