When Arin Helev was back at the palace, it was already afternoon. He moved to the main palace the day he was crowned to be the King and with his father, Morin and the Queen's departure to the Southern Palace the next day, he was alone in the palace.
Even when he entered the main palace, servants and guards were the only ones who welcomed him back. Somehow, he started to feel lonely and he hated the feeling.
Ever since his mother's death, he was used to being alone but... after Iria stayed with him for almost three months, he had grown a bit accustomed to having a companion.
With many things crossing his mind, he entered his huge yet lonesome chamber in the main palace. He sat down on the couch and leaning back, he shut his eyes, trying to rest for a while. It's been three days since he took over the throne and he was exhaustingly busy since then.
It had only become a bit better today but his desk was still occupied by unfinished works. However, he wanted to rest for a while. Maybe he wanted to think of someone.
It will be so much better if she was here with him. He missed the peace and easiness that her calm yet unmissable presence always gave him.
If possible, he wished to rush all the way to Jerivia just to see her once but... he won't do that. Putting aside his responsibility, he already said that even if they meet again, it won't be in secret anymore. He was determined to let that happen first.
The young King didn't even know when he fell asleep. However, his short rest was disturbed by the sound of the knocking on his door. It made him opened his eyes and dragged him back to reality, a lonely reality.
"Come in."
Antony walked inside and halted before the desk. Then he bowed to show his respect. "Commander Nico wishes to meet you, Your Majesty," he informed him.
Arin Helev realized that he had only listened to the Commander's report during the meeting with the officials yesterday. Nico Petrus came back right before the coronation and he still hasn't had a proper chat with him due to his busy schedule.
"Alright. Tell him to wait for me in the meeting room. I'll be there right away."
With that said, Antony bowed and left again.
Soon enough, the King rose from his seat and made his way to the meeting room where the Commander was waiting for him.
Nico Petrus quickly rose from his seat at the sight of the new King and when Arin Helev took a seat, the Commander got down on one knee beside him.
"I still haven't greeted you formally since you became the King, Your Majesty," the Commander said, wishing to follow the formal procedure.
"I, Nico Petrus, will serve and pledge my loyalty to you and Qalagon. The whole Petrus Army is at your service, Your Majesty. Congratulations on your coronation," he said to the new King in a solemn tone. His gaze was fixated on the floor the whole time.
"Thank you, Commander Nico," Arin Helev promptly replied. "Please rise and have a seat," he commanded to which Nico Petrus complied right away.
"I should have summoned you as it's been a few days since you returned, but I'm caught up with many activities. I hope you understand," the King said to the Commander.
"I understand, Your Majesty. You just take over the throne and I'm sure that you will be busier than ever," Nico Petrus responded. "Besides, I already report everything during yesterday's meeting. I came here to discuss other matters."
"Go ahead."
"I'm not so sure about this but I think the Nathania Kingdom is trying something behind our back," the Commander informed Arin. "Before I leave the border, some spies whom I sent to keep watch on the Nardodia Kingdom informed me that they saw an envoy from Nathania entering the palace.
"Nathania is our ally for more than a decade now, Your Majesty. Why would they sent an envoy to Nardodia if they are really on our side?"
Narrowing his eyes, Arin Helev gave a quick thought on the matter. "The current King of Nathania is the older brother of Queen Lorey and the uncle of Morin. Every official knows how the King of Nathania wanted Morin to succeed my father. But things don't go as he wanted. I ended up taking over the throne. Maybe they decide to break our ties because of that."
"I will look more into this matter, Your Majesty," the Commander promptly said. "Nardodia already gained many allies in a short time. With Alora on their side, they convinced the King of Jerivia and now, they are after the Nathanians. If this goes on, I'm afraid they will become a more serious threat to us in no time."
"I already have a bad feeling when an informant told me that the Nathanians will be sending an envoy to Jerivia to discuss some deal. After all, the whole continent knows that we aren't on good terms with the Jerivians right now," the King stated. "It seems like the Nathanian King is planning to trap me by colluding with Nardodia and Jerivia."
"Will you give up on Jerivia?" the Commander quickly asked the King.
Giving a brief thought, Arin Helev shook his head. "King Tobias Aventine is not as intelligent as I thought. It feels like he will soon be trapped by the Kings of Nardodia and Nathania."
Nico Petrus recalled his memories of the Jerivian King. Though he was an enemy, he respected him for being a good father to his children. It will never be easy to do that, considering his responsibilities. Somehow, he felt bad for him.
"Then what will you do?" he asked, shifting his attention back to Arin Helev.
"Let's watch the movement of the Nathanians first," Arin Helev simply said. "The King is not fond of me, so it's useless to try saving the alliance. If he really wants to turn his back on our Qalagon, then... he will have to suffer the same fate as Nardodia."
"I understand," the Commander responded. "I will arrange some more spies to keep an eye on the movement of the Nathanians."
The King only nodded as many things crossed his mind. He just took over the throne and some betrayal already occurred. Seemed like he won't have peace that soon.....
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