Hanson Lorin quietly stared at his friend who only had eyes for the bracelet in his hand.
The Crown Prince appeared so broken.
What if it affects his mentality?!
That would be a disaster!
The two friends were distracted when a soldier walked inside and informed the Crown Prince that Commander Nico seeks an audience with him. The Crown Prince didn't expect the Commander of the Petrus Army but he still commanded the soldier to let him in.
When Commander Nico walked inside the Crown Prince's tent, General Hanson left to give them some privacy.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Nico Petrus greeted the Crown Prince and bowed when he halted a few steps opposite him.
"Having you here is a rare occurrence, Commander Nico. What brings you here?" Crown Prince Arin asked as he finally put away the braided bracelet and shifted his attention to the Commander.
Commander Iria had told Nico Petrus that she will be leaving in five days. Ten days had passed since she told him that and Commander Nico was sure that the Masked Commander would be in Jerivia by now. He already confirmed that she left Qalagon five days ago.
"I have something to confess," he finally said to the Crown Prince after maintaining his silence for a while.
Something to confess? The Crown Prince felt more than lost. As far as he could remember, Commander Nico was a perfectionist. What mistake did he make for him to come and personally confessed?!
While the Crown Prince was thinking of this, Commander Nico was already on his knees.
Seeing the Commander of the Petrus Army kneeling before someone else besides the King was more than rare! As someone who controlled the powerful Petrus Army, he had immense power though he wasn't a royal. He was never one to belittle.
Not to mention that the people considered him as the most powerful rival of the Crown Prince in all aspects. But now... he was on his knees in front of none other than the Crown Prince.
Of course, the Commander of the Petrus Army had a huge pride. However, he never put his pride above the kingdom or his loyalty. As he did something which he shouldn't, he was willing to pay for it.
He was that kind of person.
Crown Prince Arin knew Commander Nico well. It was the reason why he was taken aback when he saw him on his knees. Then he ended up wondering what sin would be big enough to make the Commander of the Petrus Army dropped to his knees.
"I know the truth about the Crown Princess." Nico Petrus finally spoke up after what seemed to be forever. "I know everything but... I hide it due to personal reasons."
The truth? When the possible truth crossed his mind, Arin Helev clenched his fist.
It turned out that Vienna Mareyi wasn't the only one.
"How did you know that?" Crown Prince Arin asked.
Why didn't he noticed the truth which Commander Nico did?
Nico Petrus was quite surprised by the calmness of the Crown Prince but... he didn't show anything. He had no idea that the Crown Prince already knew the real identity of the fake Crown Princess.
"Ever since she left Jerivia for the alliance marriage, I know that she wasn't Princess Iria Aventine. But it wasn't long since I find out that she was the Masked Commander," he replied.
"You talked as if you know the face of the real Princess Iria," Crown Prince Arin remarked. Though he appeared calm and composed, he was struggling on the inside.
Even the Commander of the Petrus Army was involved in this. How was he supposed to solve it?
"You're right, Your Highness," Nico Petrus responded as he clenched his fists which were on his thighs. For the first time, he lifted his head to look at the Prince and said, "I know the face of the real Princess Iria."
The calm facade of Crown Prince Arin was instantly replaced by a surprised one. He darted his eyes to the Commander but soon, his gaze fell on the braided bracelet on his wrist.
He recalled the time when Iria asked Commander Nico about the braided bracelet on his wrist. He also remembered how Commander Nico said that someone made it and gave it to him.
The important custom of Jerivia - giving braided bracelets to the ones you cared about. Not to mention that the people in Qalagon weren't a fan of braided bracelets!
One assumption crossed his mind but Arin refused to believe it until...
"She was the woman I loved."
Nico Petrus confessed it himself. It wasn't just an assumption but the truth!
"I wanted to reveal everything when I returned to Qalagon but... " The Commander paused, recalling his conversation with King Tobias. "The Masked Commander was the best friend of Princess Iria. Though the Princess had died, I can't bear to do that to her best friend whom she truly cared."
"Are you saying that the real Princess Iria is dead?" Crown Prince Arin asked with a flustered face. He didn't saw it coming at all!
"Yes, Your Highness," Nico Petrus uttered. Whenever he was reminded of her death, he still felt a stinging pain in his heart.
It always made him more thirst for revenge!
When Nico Petrus noticed the Crown Prince's puzzled face, he explained by saying, "It's an assassination attempt. She was poisoned while she was preparing to fulfil the alliance marriage. She was in a coma but she died a few weeks ago."
Assassination attempt? Commander Iria had mentioned it to him once while they were in Zoris. So... she came here because the Princess was in a coma?!
Was her friend who died... the real Princess Iria?!
Arin realized how ignorant he was and... the realization hit him hard!
It turned out that he never belong in her world.
"The Masked Commander is the leader of our arch-rival, the Alewine Army. They are the pillar of Jerivia, the nemesis of our Qalagon but... how did she manage to shut the mouths of everyone who knew her identity?" he muttered.
He was angry not because he was fooled. If only he knew it earlier like Commander Nico and Vienna Mareyi did... he would be willing to do everything to make things right!
Why wasn't he the one who realized the truth?
Now... everything was a mess.
He confidently declared that he won't allow her to stay out of his life forever when they last met, but... he felt lost. He didn't know what to do.
"She cared about you, Your Highness," Nico Petrus spoke up and the Crown Prince shifted his gaze to him. "Though she is an enemy, I know about her feelings for you. That's one of the reasons why I decided to trust her. I believed that she won't do anything to cause you harm."
Nico Petrus made a deliberate pause and continued by saying, "I commit a crime and prioritize my personal belief and feelings. So, I will accept any punishment. But please... allow me to bear it alone, Your Highness.
"Everyone in the Petrus Army is innocent. They have no involvement in this. So please, don't let them suffer for my crime."
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦