Crown Prince Arin walked towards his friend who was also making his way to him. Despite the situation they were in, there was still a little smile on the face of the Zoris Crown Prince.
"It seems like I'm late, Arin. I really try my best to reach on time," Vance Amias said to Arin Helev when he was just a few steps away from the latter.
"You're late but your arrival still chased the enemies away. I think that's good enough," Crown Prince Arin promptly said.
Now that they were finally just a step away from each other, the two friends briefly hugged each other.
"You should have informed us about the war. If I know it sooner, it would be different," Crown Prince Vance uttered.
Even in the past, the two kingdoms always helped each other in wars as long as they are in a situation to do so. It was the reason why other kingdoms often said that to attack Qalagon or Zoris, they should prepare to fight two kingdoms.
King Declan was also aware of this but... he didn't receive any information about Zoris, all thanks to the Zoris Crown Prince who loved surprises.
"I thought that we would be able to fend them off but it seems like King Declan is colluding with the remnants of Nardodia," Arin replied. "I indeed thought of the possibility but... I was short on time."
"I never know that you are also capable of miscalculating things, Arin. What's wrong with you?" Crown Prince Vance paused when he recalled what King Regan told him before he came here. "I heard about Iria. Is that why?" he cautiously asked his friend.
Arin Helev thought of Iria before he forced a smile. "What did my father told you?"
Did he tell Vance how the one who came as the Jerivian Princess was... the Masked Commander?
Vance Amias maintained his silence for a while before he finally said, "About the false rumor, her departure and... her real identity." He paused, observing his friend's expression which he finds pretty fake. "Are you alright?"
Even during their brief visit to Zoris, Vance Amias surely noticed how Arin cared for that woman who turned out to be the Masked Commander. So, he was convinced that the Qalagon Crown Prince won't be fine.
What did he do wrong for him to always lose someone he cared about?
"I used all my time preparing for this war. I had no time to think about other things," Arin replied.
He lost her during that time.
Rumors have it that the Masked Commander was a cruel being and... it must be true considering how she chose to be cruel to him until the end.
When Vance Amias didn't say anything but stared at him, Arin Helev spoke up again. "Let's go. The soldiers are waiting."
With that said, the two Crown Princes returned to the tent.
*
Though the Alorian Army withdraw, the Qalagons also suffered quite a loss. Many soldiers died while many get major and minor injuries.
Win or loss, the result of the war was never good.
"Hanson and General Kilian already returned to the capital with soldiers but I think we should still hurry and send more," Crown Prince Arin said to Crown Prince Vance who was sitting beside him inside a tent.
"How did the Nardodians managed to claim back their land?" Vance Amias promptly asked. "Besides, everything happened at the same time and it's clear that it's a well-executed plan. I think something's fishy."
"I know," Arin uttered. "A soldier who managed to leave the area said that the rebels didn't look like mere subjects but well-trained soldiers. Maybe my hunch is true. It's the doing of the Duke of Borland."
"The Duke of Borland?" Crown Prince Vance raised a brow when he heard the infamous title. "The younger brother of the late Nardodian King?"
Arin Helev nodded. "A few days before we left the capital, I heard that he might still be alive."
"King Declan was pretty confident in fighting you. However, he immediately withdrew once we arrived. It's clear that he isn't expecting us," Vance stated. "If it was other wars, the enemies will surely have a backup plan in case we might appear but... King Declan didn't have any. Does that mean..."
"Someone from our side is helping him," Arin Helev finished it for his friend and added, "We have a traitor."
Vance Amias nodded. "Even you didn't know that I'm coming. So, the traitor won't expect my soldiers to arrive." He looked at his friend and firmly added, "You should get to the bottom of this, Arin. It's not a small matter."
Just when the Zoris Crown Prince finished talking, a soldier came inside the tent and informed the Crown Prince that the doctor had finished treating the wound of Commander Nico. The Crown Prince had already advised the soldier to inform him once it was done.
Hearing the news, Arin rose from his seat and glanced down at Vance Amias. "I will go and briefly check on him."
Vance nodded and Arin made his way to the Commander's tent.
When the Crown Prince entered the tent, Commander Nico just finished wearing his shirt. Turning around, Nico Petrus noticed Crown Prince Arin and he quickly bowed. "Your Highness."
"How is your injury, Commander Nico?" Arin Helev asked.
"I already assured you that a single arrow shot wound is nothing for me, Your Highness. As one who leads soldiers all my life, I have gotten through many things worse than this," the Commander responded.
"I'm well aware of that," Arin Helev said and added, "However, I saw you taking that arrow for me. I might be a royal but I'm not that ungrateful."
"If any of the soldiers were in my place today, I bet they will all do the same." Nico Petrus made a deliberate pause before he said, "Your life matters the most."
"I never think that way," the Crown Prince promptly argued. "Each one of us only has one life and I think the value of each life is the same."
Meeting the Commander's gaze, he said, "But why do I have a feeling that you paid more attention to me than the war today?" He let out a chuckle and jokingly said, "You even made me feel like I'm someone who needs protection all the time."
Nico Petrus narrowed his eyes when he heard the Crown Prince. After he fell silent for a while, he lifted his gaze and looked at the Arin again. "To be honest, I made a promise to the Masked Commander.
The smile of Crown Prince Arin slipped when he heard what the Commander said.
A promise? What kind of promise?
"Before she left, she asked me to protect you and make sure that you return alive."
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