Three days quickly passed by and King Tobias just left Qalagon as planned. After she bid goodbye to the King, Iria Alewine returned to her chamber and Rion followed her in right away.
"His Majesty returned, but Commander, did he tell you his decision? What about the war with Helsia?"
"I heard that Helsia is still not prepared," Iria replied. "Though the King of Helsia is eager to avenge his son, he just can't lead his soldiers to fight an unprepared war."
"So?"
"We still have time. Once His Majesty reached Jerivia, he will discuss it with the officials and the Generals. Then he will inform me."
Rion thought about it for a while and asked, "Do you think His Majesty will change his mind?"
Iria Alewine was well aware of how King Tobias was always firm in his words. She also knew that he only agreed to think twice for her sake but... she didn't have much hope.
"I'm not sure," the Commander muttered. "I only hope that he is not in danger." When she thought of Zaro Aventine, she shook her head. "If anything happens to His Majesty, our Jerivia will be in grave danger. Zaro is still not prepared to be the King."
Iria thought of what she said to the King before. She truly meant it when she said that she didn't want to lose him too. For her, King Tobias was like a father who always cared about her well-being and safety.
"Commander, that night when you left the palace alone. Whom did you meet?" Rion cautiously asked his Commander. When the latter returned that night, she seemed so different and it troubled him until now.
Hearing the question, her meeting and deal with Commander Nico crossed Iria's mind. However, she forced a little smile. "Give me some time, Rion. I will tell you once things are settled."
She didn't want him to know that she made a deal with the Commander of the Petrus Army. Prince Orius shouldn't know about it either but... if she was to fulfill her promise, she must find a way to leave Qalagon as fast as possible.
* * *
Nico Petrus just returned to his mansion after a long day of hunting. Unexpectedly, General Elian Castiel was waiting for him in the pavilion. When the General saw his Commander, he rushed to him and bowed.
"What brings you here?" Commander Nico asked as a servant took his bow.
When General Elian warily glanced around their surroundings, the Commander understood and took him to his chamber.
"Say it."
"The King of Jerivia left this for you," General Elian promptly said as he handed a letter to his Commander.
Nico Petrus took the letter and blankly stared at it for a while. Then he finally opened and read the contents. After a while, he put it down and took a seat.
"Commander, did you refuse to see the King until the end? He came all the way to Qalagon to see you," General Elian asked. Though his Commander put on a blank face, he knew how he was struggling on the inside.
"What's the problem with that?" Nico Petrus muttered and glanced at the letter. "He still says everything he wished to say through this letter. In the end, he still wins."
He looked up at his most trusted General and said, "You should leave now. I'll return to the camp tomorrow."
"I understand," General Elian responded and immediately left the Commander's chamber.
The moment he was alone, Nico Petrus stared at the letter again. Through the contents of the letter, he could sense how the Jerivian King truly worried about him. Commander Nico also knew that it won't be easy for the King too. After all, he lost his beloved daughter.
Though King Tobias was the King of an enemy kingdom, Commander Nico was convinced that the King was a great father.
* * *
"I think you seem dull ever since your father returned."
Crown Prince Arin was staring at Iria who seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Ever since King Tobias returned to Jerivia three days ago, it seemed like Iria was losing her activeness and he didn't want that.
Iria Alewine shifted her gaze to the Crown Prince when she heard him. "I don't notice that," she replied in a low voice.
The Commander really had no idea about it but if the Crown Prince was stating the truth, it must be because of her concern in the King's decision. Though she knew that the King was yet to make a decision, she felt uneasy and she couldn't brush it off her mind.
"That's more worse," Arin remarked. The two were sitting in a pavilion and when the Crown Prince glanced around, an idea crossed his mind. "Do you want to have some fun outside the palace?" he asked Iria.
Iria raised a brow when she heard the Crown Prince's suggestion. "I thought that you're adamant to lock me up for a while."
"Lock you up?" Arin Helev uttered with a flustered face and shook his head. "I think that's an overstatement. I only advised you not to leave the palace. You can still walk around inside the palace as much as you want."
"But you're suggesting to go out now?" Iria asked. Her lips curved into an amusing smile.
Arin Helev nodded. "I will be with you the whole time. So, I don't think there will be a problem."
"You should just say that you are coming along to keep watch on me," Iria simply said and Crown Prince Arin frowned.
"If you don't want, it's fine. You can stick here the whole day." When he noticed the frustration on her face, there was a victorious smile on his face. Now, she seemed like the Iria he used to know. She still gets easily offended.
Iria Alewine rose from her seat and glanced down at the Crown Prince. "You can stick here instead. I'm going out."
She walked away without even waiting for his response and it made the Crown Prince chuckled. Staring at her back, he shook his head in amusement. It was always so easy to get her all worked up!
Little did he know he was one of the very few people who could see this side of the Masked Commander. For all others, the Masked Commander was a cold and ruthless being who was full of courage and confidence.....
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