Commander Iria might be right when she felt like she saw him on that farm. Once she returned to the Army camp after visiting some farms with Crown Prince Zaro, a letter arrived for her.
She opened it without having any idea about it but... it turned out that the sender was Arin Helev. Reading the contents of the letter, her eyes grew wide in surprise!
Anxiety rushed through the Commander as she failed to stay calm. As such, she soon finds herself rushing out of her tent. Then she mounted her horse and left the camp with the letter still in her hand.
After riding for half an hour with her speed faster than ever, she quickly gets off when she reached the 'Sublime Inn.' Thinking about anything else, she rushed inside and look for a certain room. She didn't wear her mask, so people won't notice her.
Iria Alewine reached the room which she searched for and as she was in such a hurry, she rushed in without even knocking.
A room that was clean and had everything in place was provided before her eyes. However, the fact that there was no one troubled the Masked Commander even more!
Was he really gone?
Hanging her head low, she squeezed the letter which she tightly holds on to. She didn't expect this sudden parting!
The Commander instantly lifted her head when she heard the sound of a footstep from the right corner of the room. The small door which she didn't notice was opened and... he made his way out.
His gaze landed at her once he came out. Amazement and confusion were more than evident in his eyes. Well, happiness too. He was glad to see her again. Before this minute, he was convinced that he will have to leave without saying goodbye to her in person.
"Iria... " he muttered, still finds it hard to believe that she came here to see him. When he narrowed his eyes at her, he noticed the letter in her hand. She already read it?
Words can't explain how relieved Iria Alewine felt! Just a minute ago, she thought that he was gone and now... he was right before her eyes. Then she finally took several steps towards him. "You're leaving?" she inquired.
Arin Helev nodded with reluctance. "I told Antony to arrange someone to deliver that letter to you... but I told him that it should be in the morning." He briefly glanced at the letter and added, "It turned out that he wasn't listening to me."
"What if I receive in the morning?" Iria Alewine asked. "You will already be gone by then." One glance of him and it was evident that he was all set to leave! Even his room was all cleared!
She knew that she had no right to be angry at him but... she couldn't hide her disappointment. Didn't he understand that he wasn't the only one worrying? She worried about him too!
"I wasn't confident. That's why," Crown Prince Arin confessed which made Iria raised a brow.
Why was that? She didn't understand.
"If you know it beforehand, I know that you will come like this and... I'm not sure if I'll still be able to leave if that happens," Arin explained. "I want to stay and spend the day I asked from you, Iria. But I have to leave. It's urgent."
Iria Alewine felt anxious when she noticed how disheartened he look. She took a step closer and observed him. "What's the matter?" she asked.
Did something bad happened?!
"My father is ill," Arin finally said to her. "It happened not long after I leave and as it's an urgent matter, they sent a carrier pigeon to deliver the news." He briefly paused before he added, "It seems to be serious."
The Commander was stupefied at the news! However, one thing amazed her even more!
Did he just said about his father's illness to her, the Army Commander of a rival kingdom?!
The King's health signified the security of a kingdom and... if the enemies knew this, it won't be a miracle if they used it to their advantage! Yet he told her about it?
"I'm sorry," Arin Helev added. "It seems like we will have to postpone the one day that we promised. Antony is waiting for me near the capital gate and I have to return now."
Iria Alewine was never good at consoling others. It's her nature and the effect of her tough upbringing. Well, to nurture a capable warrior like her, it was a given that her upbringing won't be that rosy. She was trained even harder than boys at her age. Superior skills can't be obtained in a day.
"Don't be," she finally muttered. "Your father is more important."
"I don't think that way," the Crown Prince argued. "To me, your value is the same as my father. You're both a family."
His frankness rendered the Masked Commander speechless. Family? She was just someone who fooled him.
"I think I saw you on the farm today," she pointed out. She was still wondering if that was really him. Then she saw him nodding.
"I saw you riding past the market and I followed you. I was preparing to leave at that time. Though it was just from a distance, I was so glad to see you before I leave," Crown Prince Arin confessed.
"Zaro is my best friend," Iria explained. "He's like a family to me."
"I know," Arin Helev muttered. "I heard people talking about it."
Oh. He will surely hear the rumors if that's the case.
When Iria tried to speak up again, Crown Prince Arin closed the gap between them. He was standing so close that she could hear the rapid thumping of his heartbeat. Then he suddenly leaned down and took her aback by capturing her lips!
Her eyes grew wide, shocked and somewhat panic. However, Arin pulled back right away. He holds her face and observed her reaction. She realized how his heart was beating even faster than before and... she wasn't much different!
"You don't have to explain," he whispered when their lips were just inches away. "I trust you."
He kissed her forehead and this made her squeezed the letter even harder. His lips trailed down to her cheeks before he finally finds his way back to her lips. This made her shut her eyes in response.
His kiss was gentle in contrast to his heartbeat which resembled a savage beating of a drum! He savoured her lips which must even be the only visible part in her body that was soft and tender.
Though her conscience repeatedly warned her that this wasn't the right thing, she finds herself lost in his kiss. As she was following his rhythm, she could sense how much he longed for her. His hands that hold her face were now trailed to her neck but he unconsciously grabbed her too tight, fearing that she would disappear, fearing that this was a dream. However, she didn't complain.
Finally, he pulled back but he was still so close to her face. Then he pressed his forehead together with hers.
"I love you, Iria Alewine," he whispered between his breath. "Do you know how much I regret not telling you this while you were my wife?"
She tried to say something but he placed his finger on her lips. "I don't want to hear your answer, for now. Tell me once we don't have to meet in secret. Once I tear down every obstacle that stands in our way."
A few more seconds passed and he suddenly retreated from her. Iria Alewine looked at him, confused.
He had to leave and he was scared that he will change his mind. So, he took a step backwards. "We will meet again very soon. I promised you that," he said to her with determination. Once more, he closed the gap and this time, he kissed her on the forehead.
It was a goodbye kiss and she knew that. However, there was nothing she could do.
"Take care," he mumbled and made his way to the door. He didn't turn back at all, not even once.
Well, he was always firm once he made up his mind.
As the Commander stared at the empty door, only one thing crossed her mind. They had parted, again.....
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