"Commander."
Entering the Commander's tent in the camp, Rion seemed to be quite anxious. When he saw the Masked Commander all set to leave the tent, he raised a brow.
"You're going out now? It's still early," he pointed out.
"His Majesty wants me to enter the palace after breakfast but I think I should meet His Highness before that. I don't see him yesterday and I'm a bit worried," Commander Iria replied and only then she noticed the strange expression of her right-hand man.
"What's the matter, Rion?" she inquired. She turned around and observed the scrolls which she planned to bring with her.
Rion recalled what he encountered in the market just a while ago. As he rushed back to the camp soon after that, sweat was still rolling down in the side of his face.
Did his Commander know the presence of the Qalagon Crown Prince here in Jerivia? No, right?
"I saw Crown Prince Arin in the market just a while ago."
All at once, Iria Alewine paused whatever she was doing. She narrowed her eyes at the ground but she somehow felt the pressure. For her, it was like a reminder. He wasn't safe here.
Rion stared at his Commander who didn't move at all for a while. Did she really have no idea about it?
"The guards on patrol saw us and... "
"What happened?" the Commander suddenly asked. Turning around, she faced Rion who appeared quite flustered. She seemed to be collected but it wasn't easy to hide her uneasy heart.
"You know?" Rion asked, raising a brow. She didn't even look surprised!
"I met him, once," Iria Alewine confessed. After all, she really didn't hide anything when it comes to Rion. She trusted him that much.
Rion looked at the Commander with a perplexed face but when he realized her question, he tried to get ahold of himself. "I lied to the guards and I let him go but... I also told him that it will be different if I see him again."
Should she felt relieved or not? The Commander wasn't sure.
Rion was a loyal soldier and if he did that, she knew the only reason should be her. He did it for her sake but... his conscience will surely be affected by it.
"He will return soon and he means no harm," she explained to Rion. After thinking twice, she added, "If you indeed cross paths with him again, I hope you can still let it go."
She didn't move at all but stared at Rion. What will his response be? Most importantly, how will he think of her?
Rion observed his Commander as if he tried to know the level of her sincerity. What was on her mind? He never thought that his Commander would say such things but... considering how she behaved ever since they left Qalagon, this wasn't so unexpected.
"Is that an order?" he finally asked. His voice was lower than ever and that bothered the Commander.
"No," Iria replied. "The Commander shouldn't give such an order." She made a deliberate paused and clarified, "It's a request."
Rion gave a quick thought before he nodded. "I understand."
"Rion."
"I trust in you, Commander," he quickly explained. "I won't doubt you again. If you said that the Qalagon Crown Prince mean no harm, then that's it."
When the Commander maintained her silence, Rion added, "I will take my leave now. You also need to enter the palace." He bowed and walked out of the tent right away.
Iria Alewine was in a daze. Did she really make such a request to Rion?
She knew that she could never be herself whenever Arin Helev was concerned but... she still felt amazed each time it happened.
It can't be helped as she was anxious. If words get out that the Qalagon Crown Prince was here, soon, his picture will be circulated all around the kingdom. It will be hard to leave this kingdom unscathed even for a capable warrior like him!
No matter how skilled and intelligent he was, it didn't mean that he was invincible.
*
Iria Alewine just entered Crown Prince Zaro's chamber in the palace with a tray that holds some dishes.
Just before she entered, Derin had told her that the Crown Prince hasn't left his chamber since he returned yesterday's evening. He skipped dinner last night and he still didn't have breakfast either. So, she asked Derin to bring some food and she personally brought it for her friend.
When the Crown Prince's eyes landed on his friend, he seemed to be pretty surprised. He ended up rising from his seat without even realizing it. "Iria, why are you here?" he asked.
"I heard that my best friend refused to eat these days. So, I hope I can make you eat something," Iria Alewine said and placed the food on the table. Then she gestured for the Crown Prince to come closer.
Maybe out of habit, Zaro approached her without complaint. He stood beside the table and narrowed his eyes at the food. "You don't have to do this. I really have no appetite."
"You will soon run out of energy, Your Highness. I always told you not to skip meals often," the Commander sighed.
She knew that the Crown Prince had a habit of locking himself up without eating anything whenever something bothered him. She wondered what problem he had this time.
Zaro Aventine glanced at his friend only to recall the words she muttered in her sleep. In fact, those three words never left him, not for even once. It distracted him while he worked and haunted him in his sleep.
It was such a torment for the young Crown Prince who secretly adored his best friend for years!
"You should eat while it's still warm. Besides, don't you also have to meet your father?" Iria said while making him sit down on one of the chairs.
"What about you?" the Crown Prince asked. "You came so early. Did you have your breakfast?"
Iria nodded. "I ate early so that I can have some time to meet you before we meet the King."
Zaro forced a little smile and picked up the spoon. Even though the dishes were all his favorite, he didn't feel tempted at all! However, Iria brought it for him personally and ever since he was young, he could never say no to her.
Well, this Commander was well-aware of this and she often used it to her advantage, not that he cared. Besides, she was always reasonable. As such, he ended up finishing his breakfast under the scrutinizing gaze of the Masked Commander.
He wanted to ask her about what she muttered in her sleep but... he couldn't bring himself to do that. Much more like he didn't dare.....
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