When news about the abdication of King Regan covered all the surrounding kingdoms of Qalagon, the coronation ceremony for Crown Prince Arin as the King of Qalagon was already done.
The retired King was well aware of how their enemies saw his successor as a threat to them. As such, all the preparations were done cautiously not to let the enemies get a grasp of the news. So, when the enemies finally heard it, everything was already done.
Arin Helev was already quite a force to reckon with while he was just the Crown Prince. So, the enemies knew that he will only become more formidable once he became the King. They were always wary about that and now... it happened all of a sudden, taking everyone by surprise.
Though the officials were quite against it when the abdication was first mentioned, they eventually gave in to the King's wish. After all, the successor wasn't the reason why they were against it. No one doubt that the Crown Prince will make a great King.
Not to mention that the people accepted him wholeheartedly. In fact, they always looked forward to this day - the day when their Crown Prince will become their King.
King Regan just finished attending the coronation ceremony despite his poor health. It was hard for him to sit throughout the ceremony which lasted for almost an hour. However, he braced himself and do it as it was his last responsibility as the King of Qalagons.
The retired King was alone in his chamber, resting after a taxing ceremony when his son, the new King came to him and sat beside his bed.
"Why did you come? The officials and the people will look forward to meeting you," he said to his son in a calm voice. A little smile was also seen on his face.
"I want to check on you," Arin Helev said to his father. "You must be tired after the ceremony."
Regan Helev shook his head. "I'm too happy that I get to see you being crowned. So, it's bearable."
When his son looked at him with a concerned face, Regan Helev said, "I will be fine, Arin. From now on, your concern and anything else should be spared for the kingdom. You will need a lot of energy as the beginning is always the most taxing. But believe me, son. If you start on the right path, that will lead you throughout your reign."
"I'm not that confident, Father," Arin Helev confessed. "Everything is too sudden and -"
"Remember this, Arin," King Regan muttered, interrupting his son. "What the King thinks is what the kingdom thinks. If you're strong, then Qalagon will be strong and if you're weak, each and every one of your people will be in danger. Protecting them is your duty, son. You must be strong for that and I know that you won't let me down."
"Father -"
"Don't end up like me, Arin. You should achieve everything you want and don't ever give up on your happiness," King Regan said, trying to sound as firm as he could. "Now, the supreme power is in your hands. You can do anything and I won't ever interfere. I trust in you. So, no matter what, I will always support you."
Hearing how much his father had faith in him was very encouraging for the young newly crowned King. He bent a little towards his father and holds his hand. "I understand, Father. I won't disappoint you. So, you must live and watch how I lead your kingdom. I will make sure to create a better world for the people. You must live to see that day, Father."
King Regan nodded, satisfied by his son's words. "I can't wait to see that," he muttered with a genuine smile on his ill stricken face.
* * *
It was evening and Commander Iria was in the Alewine Army camp. Standing on a pavilion that was quite high, she watched the scene which happened a few metres away. Rion was also standing beside her, watching the same scene with an amusing smile on his face.
"Commander, I think you have to do something about Zire," Rion finally spoke up, breaking the silence that already goes on for almost a minute.
"What do you expect me to do?" the Commander sighed. "I'm a Commander, not a matchmaker."
"You can talk to Jolene," Rion suggested with an exciting smile. "Even a fool would know that Zire is head over heels in love with her."
Staring at his friend who was at a distance, Rion helplessly shook his head. Zire was busy trying to get the attention of Jolene who didn't seem to care about him at all! Even when Jolene walked away, he would follow her and keep on pestering her nonstop!
"You don't know anything, Rion," Iria Alewine said and pointed her chin at Jolene. "Don't you know Jolene well? She has quite a temper and if she is really bothered by Zire's pestering, she might already unsheathe her sword and threaten him but... she didn't do that. That means she actually likes when Zire acts that way."
Rion blinked at his Commander's words and quickly shifted his gaze back to the two. It seemed like the Commander got it right. That Jolene who was always cold even smiled at times!
"I used to think that they are just close as friends but since when did they start liking each other?" Iria Alewine said, tilting her head as she gave a thought. "Was it while we were both in Qalagon?" she assumed.
"You are quite great at reading them, Commander," Rion remarked.
"It's obvious, Rion. Besides, isn't it my duty to know you and others well?"
"Then what about you?" Rion suddenly asked, making the Commander confused.
"What do you mean?"
Rion was amazed by how ignorant his Commander was in her own matter. Even Zire and Jolene could see that the way their Crown Prince looked at their Commander was different, it was more than just a friend but... she know nothing?
"It's nothing, Commander," he said, trying to back down. It would bring him no good if he interfered in this matter.
"You can't do that," Iria Alewine argued. Why must he start something and hesitate to continue?!
"I'm just -"
"Tell me the truth," Commander Iria said in a pretty serious tone. "It's an order."
Rion raised a brow at her last sentence. "What? You can't do this, Commander!"
Though Iria was feeling the urged to laugh at his reaction, she maintained a calm facade and feigned innocence just to see what he would say if she really cornered him in the name of an order.
"Really?" she asked as if she was amazed. "I can't do this?"
Just as she expected, Rion already started struggling. His gaze swept around the ground as if he was expecting a saviour to popped out.
"You don't answer me," the Commander pointed out, faking an annoyed expression. "I can't do this?" she repeated herself.
"No... I mean... you can do anything."
"Then?"
Rion looked at the Commander and finally sighed in defeat. "I'm talking about His Highness," he confessed.....
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