"Are you really okay with going to Nardodia? I thought you're not pleased to see Crown Prince Emor."
Iria Alewine briefly shifted her gaze to the Nardodian Crown Prince who was practicing archery a few steps away. Then she looked at her best friend who was sitting beside her in the vast training ground of the royal palace.
"I can't let you go alone," she replied. "I don't trust King Aryan."
"I understand how you think," Zaro Aventine said to her. "However, once we enter Nardodia, that means we will be in the territory of King Aryan and also Crown Prince Emor. Will you be okay with that?"
The Commander nodded without thinking much. She had already made up her mind and she had no intention to change. "Don't worry too much, Zaro. I will have your back and you can do the same for me."
"It's your turn, Crown Prince Zaro."
The two friends darted their eyes to Emor Tripas who was standing in front of them. Then the Jerivian Crown Prince stood up and walked towards the long table where bows and arrows were placed.
Crown Prince Emor waited for a few seconds before he took a seat on Iria's right. For a while, he said nothing but he was watching the Jerivian Crown Prince who was practicing archery a few steps away. The Commander also had her gaze fixated on her best friend with a little smile on her face.
"I don't expect you to agree to attend the feast that easy," Emor Tripas finally remarked, breaking the long silence.
"Isn't that what you want?" Iria Alewine simply asked. She didn't spare Emor even just a single glance.
"Not really," Emor Tripas replied. "If possible, I wish you can think twice."
Commander Iria finally looked at the Nardodian Crown Prince, taken aback by his words. She observed his gaze - calm yet sincere. Still, she didn't understand. "What's the meaning of that?" she asked.
"I don't know," Emor Tripas replied. "I have no idea."
"Did you know that your response is very lame?"
"I do."
Iria Alewine let out a sigh. "Then why?"
"I don't want to find myself in a helpless situation," Crown Prince Emor replied. "Besides, uncertainty scares me."
He was saying that nothing would be certain if she indeed went to Nardodia. She understands it well and clear. However, she couldn't go back on her words.
"I think that's the more reason for me to go there. At least. I will be able to work in preventing many things," the Commander stated.
"Is it because of him?" Emor Tripas asked, shifting his gaze to Zaro Aventine.
"The Crown Prince is the most important person to me," Iria firmly said. "I will never allow him to get hurt."
Emor Tripas stared at the Commander who was more than determined. Refusing to say any more words, he turned his head away.
"Will you go for another round, Crown Prince Emor?" It was Zaro Aventine who just walked back to them.
Just when the Nardodian Crown Prince was about to rose from his seat...
"Crown Prince Emor is injured. I think that should be enough for today," Iria chimed in, making Emor Tripas darted his eyes to him. After observing her for a while, he changed his mind.
"It might be good for me not to move my muscles too much," he said to the Jerivian Crown Prince.
"Is it serious?" Crown Prince Zaro promptly asked. "You can say if you need a royal doctor to check it for you."
"I'm grateful for your kindness. But I think it will heal soon," Crown Prince Emor politely refused. Then he rose from his seat. "Too bad that I won't get to witness Commander Iria in action today. I will take my leave now."
He walked out of the training ground, leaving the two friends alone.
"So... " Zaro Aventine started, turning to the Commander. "What's your plan? Will you return to the camp right away?"
"Maybe," Iria Alewine replied, nodding lazily. "I have many matters to tend. I still haven't got the chance since I return from Qalagon."
"You are back to being a busy body again," Zaro remarked with a light chuckle. "How come you're always busier than me?" he jokingly asked.
"I'm sure that you're not that free either," Iria argued, giving him a stern look.
Zaro scratched his head and awkwardly smiled. "I do have some matters to take care of. I plan to visit some farms in the evening."
"Some farms?" Iria uttered, raising a brow. "Is there a problem?"
Zaro nodded and sat beside her. "I receive a report yesterday evening," he started. "As you know, the rainy season just starts and the farmers are also working on ways to preserve their crops from rains. However, a sudden heavy rainfall the day before last night destroyed many crops throughout the capital. So, I have to go to the farms and come up with ways to help the farmers."
Iria Alewine nodded. As Jerivia was dominated by plains, floods were a common occurrence during rainy seasons and each year, it was always quite a battle and a headache too. However, Zaro was great at dealing with the farmers and the King always led him handle every matter which concerned the farmers.
Though he was very different from Arin Helev, the people, especially the commoners trusted him and relied on him a lot.
"Can I come along?" she asked the Crown Prince, recalling her last experience on the farm. She would love to visit some farms again.
"Didn't you say that you're busy?" Zaro Aventine asked her with a menacing grin.
Iria Alewine frowned at him. "I'm not lying. I only want to see the farms too."
"What's wrong with you?" Zaro asked. Crossing his arms, he gave her a suspicious look. "It's not like you love to visit farms."
"I once spent a day on the farm while I was in Qalagon and it's an amazing experience!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkled with mirth.
"With Arin Helev?" The question unconsciously escaped the Crown Prince's lips but he regretted it right away.
Why did he ask her that?!
Feeling troubled, he looked at Iria whose smiled faded, all thanks to his question. However, she still nodded and didn't say anything. This pained him a bit.
"Then we should go now," he finally said and rose from his seat. "It won't be good to reach there too late."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m