Iria Alewine never once thought that she would hear such words from her best friend. Crown Prince Zaro was a family to her, the most important person in her life.
Her childhood which was supposed to be very lonely was filled with warm memories, all thanks to him. When she struggled to cope with her father's strict training, he was there encouraging her. When her father died, he was the one who helped her cope with it. If not, she wasn't sure if she would be able to go through that.
If the past twenty years of her life should be written as a story, he was the only one who will appear in every chapter. That's how much she meant to him and now... he said that she wasn't just a friend to him.
There was more.
"Iria, will you please say something?"
The Commander was finally back to reality when she heard the Crown Prince's voice. She slowly shifted her gaze to him and noticed his expression, somewhat anxious. Maybe her silence was killing him.
"This is not right," she muttered in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "You're my best friend."
He said that it's already been years. Since when? Why was she so ignorant?! She used to think that they were feeling the same way. But now, she wasn't sure anymore.
Zaro Aventine already knew she will say that but... he still felt a stinging pain in his heart. However, he couldn't accept it.
He grew up loving her. Why would he give up easily?
At least, shouldn't he give his all?
"I know you look at me that way," he finally said. "However, in my case, I crossed that line years ago. I already went too far, Iria. I don't think it's possible for me to give up just like this."
"Don't do this, Zaro," Iria Alewine said as she shook her head. He was so precious to her and... she never once imagined losing him. But if he insisted, what was she supposed to do?
"Can't I at least give a try?" Zaro Aventine argued. When one thing crossed his mind, he turned away and asked, "Is it because of Arin Helev?" He remained calm but he could feel how his heart was beating faster than usual, all because of his nervousness.
Did he say Arin Helev? It made Iria Alewine raised a brow. What made him say that?
"What are you saying?" she asked. She didn't remember herself talking about him and she was confident that Rion won't say anything about it.
Her question made the Crown Prince squeezed the armrest of the couch. Then he turned back to her. "When you got drunk that day, I heard you mumbling his name in your sleep, Iria. I heard you begging him not to leave. You must also know that we won't just call the name of someone in our sleep... unless he is special to you."
She did that? The Commander thought of the day she got drunk. That means... Zaro knew it all along. Weeks had already passed since then. What's more, they already met the man in question while they were in Nardodia!
"Is it because you love that new king of Qalagons? Didn't I stand a chance because of him?" Zaro Aventine asked her once again.
"This has nothing to do with him," Iria Alewine replied. Somehow, her voice was desperate. Maybe she was feeling the pressure. After all, the one she loved was mentioned at the least expected time.
The Crown Prince was very quiet, much to the surprise of the Commander. However, his gaze was on her, maybe observing her. "You just admit that you love him," he pointed out.
Iria Alewine was taken aback by his words. She didn't think through that at all!
"Zaro, please... I'm well aware of who I am," she pleaded. "I might not have control over my feelings but... I won't betray my conscience. Both you and him... I'm in no situation to care about those feelings. You know that."
The chamber fell silent for a while and the Commander finally rose from her seat. "I will leave for now. Let's talk some other day," she said, briefly glancing down at her friend. Then she made her way out of the chamber.
Once Iria left, the Crown Prince shut his eyes and leaned backwards. His back pressed against the backrest of the couch as his palms repeatedly patted the armrest.
Soon, he felt so suffocated and he covered his eyes with his palm while placing the back of his head on the top of the backrest.
What was he supposed to do now? He never felt as lost as he did now.
* * *
Leaving the Crown Prince's chamber with a troubled mind, the Commander's mind can't even function well. What she just experienced was too much of a surprise for her.
Will she lose her friend over this matter? That's the last thing she wanted but... she didn't know what she should do if Zaro really insisted.
She was in such a hurry to return to her mansion and have a quiet time for herself that she even failed to watch out for her steps. As such, she ended up bumping into someone.
"I'm sorry," she muttered without even looking at the person. She tried to continued walking again but...
"What's the matter?"
She halted at the familiar voice. Finally looking at the person, she realized that it was the Second Prince. Come to think of it, she rarely saw him these days. Was he not in the capital?
"It's you, Your Highness," she uttered with a bit of amazement. "I apologize."
"Forget about it," Orius Aventine shrugged. "You don't look so fine, Commander Iria. Is something wrong?"
"No, Your Highness," Iria promptly replied. "I rarely see you these days. Are you out of the capital?"
The Second Prince nodded. However, the expression on his face was the proof that he didn't buy her response. "I visit some provinces which are located on the border. I only returned yesterday."
Was he running away from the heavy atmosphere during the mourning for the late Princess? This was what crossed the Commander's mind.
"I won't delay you anymore," the Second Prince continued. "You don't look fine. So, it's better that you go home soon."
"Thank you for your concern," Iria muttered as she slightly lowered her head. Then she left the palace in a hurry.
Staring at her disappearing form, Orius Aventine wondered what could be wrong with her. Then he realized that the hallway he was standing right now would lead him to the Crown Prince's chamber.
Did his brother messed up with something?
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