"What brings you here, Lady Vienna?" Crown Prince Arin asked Vienna Mareyi the moment she entered his tent.
Vienna Mareyi bowed to greet the Crown Prince but... when she saw General Hanson standing on the right, she instantly felt uneasy!
How the General fixated his gaze on her made Vienna Mareyi even more nervous! When she thought of her purpose, she ended up squeezing her dress due to the pressure she felt.
Even if she didn't lose her life, it would be impossible to escape without getting punished!
"Her Highness asked me to deliver this to you," she finally said. She took a few steps towards the Crown Prince and handed him the letter.
Arin Helev was quite flustered. Why didn't she just came and instead, wrote a letter?
Having no idea, he opened the letter and read the contents. It wasn't long before he abruptly rose from his seat with his eyes flew wide open!
"What is the meaning of this?" He uttered as he shifted his gaze to the Prime Minister's daughter. "Where is Iria?" he asked in a clear yet stern voice.
Vienna Mareyi briefly shifted her gaze to Hanson Lorin but when she noticed his confused expression, she squeezed her dress even harder. Then she shifted her gaze to the Crown Prince and lowered her head. "She left at dawn."
Crown Prince Arin hardly squeezed the letter on his hand! However, he understood that he had no time to lose. Then he quickly turned to General Hanson who was standing a few steps away beside him. "Gather some of our soldiers and sent messengers to each gate within our kingdom. Tell them to block every gate. No one should enter or leave Qalagon."
Without waiting for a response, Arin Helev tried to rush out of his tent but...
"Your Highness!" Vienna Mareyi dropped to her knees which made him halted.
Both the Crown Prince and the General looked at the Prime Minister's daughter with a stupefied face! Having no idea of what's going on, General Hanson took a step towards Lady Vienna. However, when he noticed the darkened expression of his friend, he cannot take any more steps.
"What do you think you are doing?" Crown Prince Arin asked as he narrowed his eyes at the Lady.
"Please hear me out, Your Highness. I know that you're shock and anxious now but please think clear -"
"Lady Vienna."
Vienna Mareyi fell silent when she heard General Hanson calling her. She briefly shifted her gaze to her lover. However, she braced herself and turned away when she recalled how Iria begged for her life to the Second Prince of Jerivia.
She knew that such an act required a lot of courage but it was only now that she understands it.
She was in her shoes right now.
"If the soldiers make a movement inside the capital, it will reach the ears of His Majesty and the officials. Then it won't be long before the whole kingdom heard the news. If Her Highness is really caught while attempting to leave, you won't be able to save her. How will you explain to the people?" Vienna Mareyi made a deliberate pause and then added, "Please think twice, Your Highness. If not, it will be too late."
"You know the truth but you maintained your silence," Crown Prince Arin uttered and clenched his fist. "You know that she is not the real Princess Iria!"
Hanson Lorin's eyes grew wide when he heard the Crown Prince!
The Crown Princess wasn't Princess Iria Aventine?!
Then who was she?
"I'm willing to be punished for that, Your Highness," Viena Mareyi uttered. "What if I open my mouth? She won't be able to leave alive and... I can't let that happen."
Crown Prince Arin clenched his fist tighter and tighter as he glanced down at Vienna Mareyi! It was so hard for him to stay put!
"She is the Masked Commander, Your Highness. If the officials know the truth, they will never allow her to return and instead, they will be eager to see her demise."
Both the General and the Crown Prince's eyes grew wide when they heard what Vienna Mareyi said!
Masked Commander she said?! Was that possible?!
"Your Highness," Hanson Lorin uttered as he kneeled before his friend. No matter how close their friendship was, the Crown Prince was his master and his Prince who will soon be his King. "This is not trivial. Please think clearly before you made a decision. Don't do anything that you would regret later."
He knew that the Crown Princess was someone special for his friend but... if she was the Masked Commander, then they were at risk.
The Masked Commander stayed in their kingdom for almost 3 months, in the palace on top of that! If she did anything during her stay here, they will be doomed!
She wasn't just anyone. She was the infamous Masked Commander.
Crown Prince Arin stood still as he was too taken aback by the revelation! The one who stayed beside him as Princess Iria was... the Masked Commander?!
How she was more than skilled in archery crossed his mind. Though he knew that it was strange, the truth which was just revealed never once crossed his mind!
It was impossible to guess! She didn't have any traits of the Masked Commander during her stay here!
Was it just an act?
Was everything a lie?
"I will leave with Antony. Handle the matters of the camp in my place," he finally spoke up, briefly narrowing his eyes at his friend. "Arrange someone to escort Lady Vienna home. We will deal with this later."
The Crown Prince already left the tent but... Hanson Lorin was still on the ground. The same goes for Vienna Mareyi. The two remained quiet and they were both absorbed in their thoughts.
After what seemed to be forever, Hanson Lorin slowly gets up. When he glanced down at Vienna Mareyi, what she did instantly crossed his mind again. However, he held her and helped her up. "You should go home. I will handle things here," he calmly said.
Vienna Mareyi glanced at the dull expression of the General. She was always firm in her decision and she didn't care much about how people thought of her. However, when it comes to him, it was different. His every opinion matters to her.
"Hanson -"
"Let's talk later," Hanson Lorin calmly said, interrupting her from speaking up. "I will come and meet you once things are settled."
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