A few days passed by uneventfully.
Though King Regan already decided to abdicate, nothing was announced yet to ensure the stability of the kingdom. It was a wide known fact that there could be problems if any of their enemies know that the health of the King was deteriorating.
As the capital of Qalagon wasn't that far from the new capital of Nardodia, Crown Prince Arin and some of his troops only left for Nardodia three days prior to the meeting with King Aryan Tripas. Prime Minister Casar Mareyi and General Hanson Lorin were the two big names who followed the Crown Prince to Nardodia.
Commander Nico was still at the border, stabilizing things there. However, he planned to return once the Crown Prince returned to the capital. He was informed about the abdication and he couldn't miss the coronation no matter what.
When the troops reached the capital gate of Nardodia, one official was there to escort them to the palace. Soon, they entered the palace and finds themselves before the huge door of the main palace.
When Qalagon occupied the whole Nardodia when they defeated them five years ago, this palace was left unoccupied. However, several workers looked after it under the guidance of the Minister who was in charge of the province. All the records in archives were preserved as per the wish of the late King Rowan Tripas, the father of Crown Prince Emor.
Even during the past five years, Arin only visited this palace twice. However, he never neglected visiting the people here.
"Will you be fine, Arin?" Hanson Lorin asked his friend who was on his right. "Based on everything that happened, the Nardodian King will surely try to make things difficult for us in the name of a negotiation. He will loathe us a lot."
"I know that," Arin Helev replied. "But I also have something that will make him give in. Who knows, we might even make him release the officials... and more."
"Let's trust His Highness," Prime Minister Casar chimed in. "I'm sure that he won't agree to go all the way here without a plan," he added. As the Crown Prince's mentor and teacher, he was well aware of his capabilities and he decided to trust him no matter what.
Soon, the door was opened and they entered the palace. They were quickly led to another door which seemed to be the door of a hall. Their arrival was announced and they made their way inside.
The Qalagons were surprised to see so many people inside the hall. Were they having a feast? They weren't informed about that. Even King Declan of Alora was here! However, the Crown Prince was always a master at maintaining his composure and the other two eventually did the same. The soldiers were told to wait outside the hall, so they couldn't enter with the Crown Prince and others.
Arin Helev was supposed to remain unfazed, but... one thing attracted his attention. Among the guests on the left was a woman with a silver mask! He quickly noticed how her gaze was on him since he entered the hall. The Jerivian Crown Prince seemed to be equally surprised as her.
Wasn't this supposed to be a feast to celebrate the revival of Nardodia and the new alliance? Why must the Qalagons be here?
Emor Tripas who was sitting on the right of his uncle was taken aback too. He knew that the Qalagons will be coming to negotiate but... he didn't know that it would be now! However, when he noticed his uncle observing Crown Prince Arin and the Masked Commander attentively, he understood the situation.
This was his uncle's plan and like always... he failed to guess it beforehand.
When Emor Tripas noticed how uneasy the Masked Commander was feeling, he clenched his fist, trying hard to stay calm. He wondered what other plan did his uncle have!
"Welcome, Crown Prince Arin Helev!" King Tripas suddenly exclaimed and rose from his seat as if he was welcoming a friend. Looking at the Prime Minister and the General, he added, "Prime Minister Casar Mareyi and General Hanson Lorin."
Seeing the victorious smile on the lips of the Nardodian King, Arin Helev somewhat understand the situation. He quickly pulled himself together, refusing to look at the Masked Commander anymore. However, it must be too late. Aryan Tripas might already have a confirmation of what he wanted.
Arin Helev? He was the Qalagon Crown Prince?! Zaro Aventine quickly looked at the Commander whose gaze was still on the man named 'Arin Helev.' That memory resurfaced and it made him felt uneasy.
"King Aryan Tripas," Arin Helev muttered, nodding as a sign of greeting.
With one gesture from King Aryan, Arin along with Prime Minister Casar and General Hanson Lorin were escorted to their seats.
The General also noticed the Masked Commander which instantly made him worry for his friend. What if he lost control because of her presence?!
When his gaze met Emor Tripas's gaze, he clenched his fist. He had already heard his identity from Arin but now that he finally witnessed it himself, rage invaded his body once again.
"I hope everyone understands," King Aryan started after he returned to his seat. "Crown Prince Arin Helev is here to negotiate and somehow, the time overlapped with this feast."
Somehow? No one in the room was foolish enough to believe that! It was clear that the King planned this but.... no one will say anything. After all, they were in his territory right now.
Maybe Aryan Tripas want to show everyone that he had the upper hand against the Qalagons who defeated this very kingdom 5 years ago!
This was an insult upon his kingdom yet Arin Helev remained calm. As expected of him! He simply sat still as if he didn't know the hidden intention of that scheming King.
"I don't know that we will meet again this way, Crown Prince Arin Helev." This time, it was King Declan who spoke up. His blood still boiled when he thought of the war he fought with this young man!
Turning his head in the direction of the Alorian King, Arin Helev forced a little smile. "I hope you won't hold a grudge against me, King Declan. After all, you were in such a hurry to flee that day."
King Declan was always known for his patience but... no one had ever dared to insult him that way! As such, he was instantly offended but it was King Aryan's warning gaze that holds him back.
His response. It suited Arin Helev so much and that drew a small smile from Commander Iria's lips. The smile was short-lived as she quickly maintained her composure again but... it didn't go unnoticed under her best friend's gaze.
"Crown Prince Arin is always known for being a formidable opponent in the battlefield," King Aryan Tripas remarked. His eyes flickered as if he just realized one thing. Then he turned to the Masked Commander.
"I heard that you once fought against each other a little over a year ago, Commander Iria," he pointed out. "What do you think of Crown Prince Arin as an opponent?"
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