Hanson Lorin just entered the Crown Prince's tent in the camp of the Royal Army. When he noticed his friend paying all his attention to the portrait on his hand, he walked to him and took a look at it.
"Why do you keep on staring at this portrait?" he finally asked. It's not like the General didn't know whose portrait it was, but... Arin seemed to be troubled a lot by this mere portrait.
What had gotten into him?!
"Do you think the Duke of Borland is still alive?" Crown Prince Arin asked his friend back. He had heard many rumors about the Duke since he was young and... none of them was great.
Even before the downfall of Nardodia, the Duke of Borland always had an eye on his older brother's throne. As such, an internal conflict never ceased which greatly contributed to their downfall despite being one of the most powerful kingdoms just a decade ago.
"I have no idea," General Hanson responded. "However, if he is indeed alive, I think we shouldn't overlook. The Duke of Borland was known for his greed for power. If I were him, I will surely want to claim back Nardodia."
"That's why I can't stop thinking about it. I already asked the Prime Minister to help me look for him. If he is still alive, I'm sure that he won't be far," Crown Prince Arin assumed.
"I know you're worried but I brought some information from our spies," Hanson Lorin uttered and Arin quickly shifted his gaze to the General.
"The Alora Army makes a move?"
General Hanson nodded. "They set out in the morning and head towards the northern border. So, if we want to set a camp near the northern border, we should leave before evening. I already sent someone to inform Commander Nico."
Crown Prince Arin gave a quick thought and nodded. "Alright. Inform the soldiers and we will set out in the afternoon."
Once the General left his tent, Crown Prince Arin put away the portrait with a bit of hesitation. Then he glanced down at his left wrist where he wore two braided bracelets. One belonged to him and the other was Iria's.
Staring at it for a while, there was a subtle smile on his lips. "I hope your protection still works," he muttered as he touched it. Then he took a deep breath and started preparing to set out.
* * *
"Commander, we already searched the path nonstop for 3 days. If there is such a path which would lead us to the source of Deris River, I think we will already find it," Rion said to the Masked Commander who was sitting on a horse beside him.
The two were in the Celia Forest with some soldiers, looking for the path which will be able to help them enter Helsia with ease. However, the path was nowhere to be seen and Rion even felt like they were searching for a needle in a haystack!
Commander Iria also felt lost.
She didn't doubt her late father and if the former Commander said that it exists, she believed it. Though her father never saw the path himself, he was never one to believe things easily.
The Masked Commander glanced around their surroundings and noticed that the soldiers appeared quite exhausted. After all, they had been searching nonstop for three days.
"Rion, led the soldiers back to the camp. They need rest for now. Select a new batch of soldiers to continue the search."
"What about you, Commander?" Rion promptly asked.
"I have to go somewhere. I'll be back soon," Iria Alewine replied. Then she turned her horse around and rode away from the place before Rion could say anything.
*
It was already evening when the Masked Commander finds herself at the peak of the Jaria Mountain. Glancing around, she recalled how she stared at this exact mountain from Qalagon.
Arin Helev had once told her that throughout Jerivia, the peak of this Jaria Mountain was the only place where some parts of Qalagon was visible. Now that she was in the peak staring in the direction of the west, she indeed saw some mountains of Qalagon.
Then she slowly walked towards one tree and sat down with her back pressing against the trunk. She shut her eyes as she needs rest more than anything else. She was busy like crazy ever since she returned and with nightmares haunting her every sleep, she barely holds on for the sake of her responsibility.
It wasn't long before she quickly opened her eyes again. Then she covered them with her palm.
She always saw his face whenever she closed her eyes and... it was too tormenting.
It wasn't just his face, his bold declaration on their last encounter was always played in her mind.
The Commander had also heard some information regarding the upcoming war between Qalagon and Alora. Both sides had already left their camps four days ago and it was only a matter of time before the battle started.
Will he be alright?
Even during her short stay there in Qalagon, she can figure out that he had many enemies and even... traitors. What if those people used the war to their advantage?
She was worried for him.
But what could she possibly do? Ever since she decided to go to Qalagon and fulfil the alliance marriage, they were already ill-fated. No... it started even before they were born.
*
When Commander Iria reached the camp of the Alewine Army, the sun had already set. Though she didn't spend much time in the Jaria Mountain, her camp was quite far from the mountain. So, she took longer than expected.
Unexpectedly, she saw Crown Prince Zaro Aventine sitting on a chair when she entered her tent. She raised a brow but soon, her lips curved into a little smile.
"You came? Did you wait long?" she promptly asked as she walked towards him.
"Yes, but it's fine. I came unannounced anyway," the Crown Prince replied. His gaze was fixated on his friend whom he secretly loved for years. Then what his younger brother told him echoed in his ears.
What made his aloof brother said such a thing?
Perhaps... he knew something?
He couldn't be at ease at all.....
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