It was evening but Vienna Mareyi and Commander Iria were still sitting in the latter's chamber. As the two women were both lost in their thoughts, the chamber was occupied by a long silence, but...
It wasn't long before the door was suddenly opened and the one who rushed in was Crown Prince Arin Helev. The two women darted their eyes to the floor and when they saw the Crown Prince, their amazement was more than evident!
Crown Prince Arin's eyes swept around the chamber until he saw Iria sitting near the door of the balcony. Then he quickly made his way towards her and bent his knees. "I heard that you're not feeling well. Did something happened?" he asked as he scanned her with concern.
Glancing at Arin with a flustered face, Iria couldn't utter anything.
She was convinced that she won't see his face again before she returned to Jerivia, but... here he was, bending his knees right beside her.
If only he didn't make her feel more troubled, seeing him just once again would be perfect!
"Iria, are you all right?" Arin patiently asked her when she didn't say anything.
When Vienna Mareyi showed Iria's expression, she walked out of the chamber to give her some space. Then Rion escorted her to one of the guest rooms.
"I'm fine," Iria Alewine finally muttered. "It's boring to be alone in this huge palace and that's why I asked Lady Vienna to stay with me for a while. I'm not sick at all."
"Are you sure?" Arin asked as he placed his palm on her forehead. "You look pale," he remarked.
Iria Alewine holds his hand that was on her forehead and gently put it down. "I'm really fine," she said to him.
When she stared at his face full of concern for her, she wondered how it would be the last time she witnessed such an expression of the Qalagon Crown Prince.
His worried voice and expression... she would surely miss it.
"Did you return because of this?" she asked. She was well aware of how busy he would be!
"Do you expect me to stay still in the camp after hearing that you're not feeling well?" Arin Helev promptly said and stood up. "I might be busy but I don't want you to be alone while facing a hard time." He slightly smiled and added, "I don't want to give you any reason to be upset at me."
"Is it a way of saving yourself?" Iria Alewine asked with a subtle smile on her lips and the Crown Prince was more than quick to nod.
"Saving myself for the future," he replied. "I'm bad at making an attempt to make up. So, I want to avoid anything that would create conflict between us."
When Arin Helev took a step away from her, Iria grabbed his hand before she could even realize it! The Crown Prince was quite taken aback by her action and he ended up glancing down at her with a flustered face.
The Commander finally braced herself to look up and met his gaze. "Are you going back to the camp?" she asked.
"Why? Is there other things?"
Iria Alewine didn't even know that she was squeezing the Crown Prince's hand, harder and harder! However, Arin remained unfazed and his gaze was still fixated on her.
"Why don't you stay for a while? You can return after dinner," the Commander said in a low voice.
Arin Helev smiled and took a step towards her. "Are you thinking that I will be returning right away?" He shook his head and added, "I'm still not convinced that you're fine."
"You're still as doubtful as ever," Iria Alewine remarked and Arin chuckled.
"There is no harm in that," he replied and bent his knees again. "Now that I'm in the camp, you should take good care of yourself. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to concentrate in the preparation of war." He laughed and added, "That would be a disaster for our kingdom."
His words. It made Iria wondered if he would be able to stay composed once she left him.
What if it affects his upcoming war with Alora?
Why did she forget to think herself too? Will she be fine once she returns?
Will she be able to be in her clear mind and prepare for another war with Helsia?
Her future didn't cross her mind even once! All she could think of was how her departure would affect him. As someone who had fought many wars herself, she was well aware of how the leader's mindset had an effect on the soldiers while fighting a war.
What if anything happens to him?!
The Commander was snapped out of her thoughts when Crown Prince Arin offered his hand to her. "Come. I think it's not good for you to be stuck here. Let's go to the small garden to get some fresh air."
Iria Alewine blankly stared at his hand before she finally holds it with a little smile. "Fine. Let's go."
*
It had been a while since the couple went to the small garden. They sat opposite each other and chat. Their conversation was so light to the point where Iria even forget that she was leaving soon!
"I say to take care of yourself so that I will be able to concentrate in the camp. However, if anything happens or if you're sick, don't forget to inform me." Arin Helev paused and added, "I don't want to hear it from others. It makes me look like an irresponsible husband."
"I think you already say that three times," Iria Alewine simply said.
"Considering your nature, I think three times is still less. Five might do," Arin Helev dryly said.
"You should stop worrying too much," Iria quickly said to him. "This upcoming war is more important than me. What will your soldiers think if I often make you distracted? I also don't want them to regard me as an immature and clingy person."
"But -"
"Can you promise me one thing?" Iria Alewine promptly asked, interrupting the Crown Prince from speaking up.
"Say it."
"No matter what happens to me during your preparation or the actual war, don't let your duty be affected by it. Be it sickness or any other problems, don't lose focus and live up to the expectation of the people."
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