Iria Alewine never once thought that there would come a day when she would ask the Commander of Petrus Army for a favour, all for the sake of the Qalagon Crown Prince!
However, when she looked at the reaction on Commander Nico's face, she was convinced that they felt pretty much the same.
He seemed to be taken aback by her request.
"That's a given," Nico Petrus finally spoke up, breaking the long going silence. "His Highness is the future of Qalagon. I won't allow anything to happen to him."
He was surprised and curious too. The Masked Commander asked him for such a favour? However, he didn't question her.
When he glanced at her eyes, he noticed concern. He also heard rumors about how the Crown Prince cared for his wife. Then he understood that it wasn't one-sided. It was mutual.
The Masked Commander from Jerivia cared about the Crown Prince of Qalagon to the point where she put aside her pride and asked a favour to him, her enemy?
Nico Petrus couldn't question the two. He wasn't in a position to do so because he also fell for the Jerivian Princess who was supposed to be his enemy.
"I will trust you," Iria Alewine muttered and narrowed her eyes. When her gaze landed on the braided bracelet in her left wrist, she blankly stared at it.
"To be honest, I don't expect you to trust me when we met that night. Before you came here, we had only met once and it was on the battlefield," Nico Petrus frankly said.
There was a subtle smile on Iria's lips when she heard him. "You said that you trust in Princess Iria and the same goes for me. I believe that the man my friend chose would be a respectable man who is worthy of her. That's why I decided to trust you."
Nico Petrus observed the young Commander sitting opposite him. When they met on the battlefield, the fact that she had this side in her, didn't even cross his mind. Was she still that ruthless warrior he met years ago? They have no resemblance at all!
Nevertheless, he finds her admirable. Too bad she was an enemy instead of a friend.
* * *
Crown Prince Arin had spent two consecutive days in the Royal Army camp and Iria only had three days left now. With her departure approaching near and near, even the Masked Commander was unsure of what to do.
Getting absorbed in her thoughts, she was standing on the top of the pavilion which provided a great view of the capital. Even just this reminded her of Arin Helev. He told her his dream in this exact place and that conversation continuously echoed in her ears.
"Commander."
Iria Alewine turned to the left when she heard Rion calling her.
"What are you doing here? I came to your chamber but you're not there," Rion said when he halted two steps away from her.
"This place has a great view," Commander Iria remarked as she shifted her gaze back to the view again.
"The Second Prince told me that everything is settled now. In three days, we will leave Qalagon at the break of dawn," Rion informed his Commander and the latter only nodded.
"You're very quiet these days," Rion remarked, staring at Iria. "Is it because we're leaving Qalagon soon?"
Was the Commander thinking of the Crown Prince?
Did this kingdom grow on her? Rion brushed off his own thoughts.
It must be just the Crown Prince.
"We spent almost three months here, Rion. I have never stayed that long in another kingdom," Iria Alewine replied.
"Are you thinking of the Crown Prince?"
Commander Iria narrowed her eyes at the braided bracelet when she heard Rion. "That's not important, Rion," she promptly said and glanced at the mesmerizing view again.
"In three days, we will leave this kingdom forever. Everything will be in the past and even if we met someone from Qalagon again in the future, it will be as an enemy." She paused and continued by saying, "I'm the Commander of the Alewine Army and not the Princess. It's about time for me to return to the place where I belong."
Iria Alewine shifted her gaze to Rion who was standing on her left. However, when her gaze trailed to a few steps away in the left, her eyes grew wide open in shock!
"Lady Vienna?" she muttered.
With the name coming out of his Commander's lips, Rion quickly turned in the direction where she was looking. Then... he saw the only daughter of the Prime Minister standing there.
Shock and confusion were written all over the face of Vienna Mareyi!
Did she hear everything?! When the Commander observed the Lady's face, she finds the answer to her question right away.
Vienna Mareyi heard everything!
"What are you talking about?" Vienna Mareyi muttered, glancing at the Commander and Rion back and forth.
"Lady Vienna." Iria Alewine took a step forward but... Vienna Mareyi took a step backward.
"You are not the Princess of Jerivia?" The Prime Minister's daughter asked with confusion still written all over her face.
Iria Alewine noticed how Rion was slowly reaching for the handle of his sword. She quickly holds him back and stood before him. When Rion looked at her with a puzzled face, she shook her head.
The Commander shifted her gaze back to Vienna Mareyi who was still staring at her.
Why must she be the one who overheard her? She's her only friend here in Qalagon!
"Listen to me. I will -"
Iria couldn't finish her words as Prince Orius suddenly appeared behind the Lady and rendered her unconscious with one blow on the neck! Without saying anything, he briefly glanced at Iria and carried Vienna Mareyi away from the top of the pavilion.
For a while, Iria stood frozen in her place. If the one who overheard was others and not Lady Vienna, she won't have to feel this troubled but... it's Vienna Mareyi!
What was she supposed to do?!
"Commander."
She was suddenly snapped out of her stupor when she heard Rion's voice. Then what Prince Orius did cross her mind.
The things that could happen to Lady Vienna instantly entered her mind but... she shook her head and turned to Rion. "Let's follow His Highness."
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