Arin Helev was still busy as usual. It had been a little over a week since he became the King and though he was taught to rule ever since he was a child, he still struggled at times now that it finally happened.
Even today, Prime Minister Casar was with him in his chamber since morning, giving him advice on many matters. It was already afternoon and though the young King did many works done with the help of the Prime Minister, he still had many matters to tend to. However, he was pretty tired now.
"Do you want to rest for a while, Your Majesty?" The Prime Minister asked. Maybe he saw through him.
"That will be good," the King replied. "I even made you work with me since morning, Prime Minister. I know you also have many matters to take care of."
"As the Prime Minister, assisting you should be my priority," Casar Mareyi said in a formal tone. "Other matters can wait."
Observing the King, the Prime Minister added, "I understand your situation, Your Majesty. It's true that your father was already the King when he was your age but your situation is different. Everything happens too sudden for you and that makes you feel lost at times. However, you do a really great job until now."
"Ever since I was young, you teach me and you never showered me with empty praises as others did," Arin Helev said with a little smile. "I always appreciate that."
"Not everyone can do that," Casar Mareyi dryly said. "But I was your mentor. It's my responsibility to always be honest with you so that you will walk the right path. Not every royal handled criticisms as well as you did and that's what made you into the great person you are today."
Arin Helev stared at the Prime Minister for a while and said, "You will have many things to say to me."
The Prime Minister nodded. "In no time, the officials will bring up the issue of an heir. As our ancestors often said, an heir brings stability to the royal court and the throne."
"I understand what you mean," the King replied. This was one of his main issues when he was preparing himself to take over the throne. He knew that he will soon be exposed to the pressure.
"Our alliance marriage with Jerivia turned to such a mess, Your Majesty. It even put us into a more complicated situation and now with all our enemies turning to Jerivia, we are surrounded by many unpredictable traps," the Prime Minister explained. "With all these things going on and her real identity as the Masked Commander, why would you still walk that road?"
In fact, even Casar Mareyi finds it hard to understand his King. For now, it seemed like fulfilling his plan was impossible. He also knew one thing. If even he finds it hard to understand, the officials won't be fond of the idea once they know about it.
Arin Helev had never once talked to the Prime Minister about how he wished to have Iria back. However, he wasn't surprised that the Prime Minister knew about it. After all, Casar Mareyi knew him well and he also knew about his journey to Jerivia before he took over the throne.
Not to mention that his question put him in a daze. Maybe he also knew that what he tried to tackle wasn't an easy feat but... did he had another choice?
Well, he had. Humans always had choices. It's one way or another. And in his case, all other choices were futile. He didn't want them at all and at one point, he even dreads them.
Moving on?
Marrying someone else and spent the rest of his life with that person?
Won't it be unfair for the woman who married him? A marriage without love was not a rare occurrence but... no woman would be happy if her husband had another woman in his heart.
He didn't want to be that cruel, especially to an innocent lady.
"I apologize if I crossed the line, Your Majesty," Casar Mareyi spoke up when Arin maintained his silence for a while. "I only do that out of concern for you."
"I'm well aware of that, Prime Minister," Arin Helev promptly said. "I also know what you're worried about. You're my mentor and I know that you want the best for me."
"But I know you too well, Your Majesty," Casar Mareyi muttered. "No matter what I say, it won't make you change your mind."
"I always listen to your advice and that will stay the same. You always told me that a good king should listen to his subjects while also listening to his heart. Then he will decide what will be the best," the King replied.
"I'm still holding on to your teachings, Prime Minister. I will do that as long as it's official matters," he added.
Hearing his last sentence, there was a small yet unexpected smile on the Prime Minister's lips. "You won't listen when it comes to your personal matters. Is that what you're implying, Your Majesty?" he said, somewhat amused.
"I love her," the King muttered with a little smile. "I want to try my best no matter what and I'm still young. Even if something happens to me, there is Morin.
"I know that because I'm the King now, even my marriage can't be my personal matters anymore. It will concern the whole kingdom. However... I don't want to give up without trying."
His determination was more than evident in his voice and Casar Mareyi knew that. "I understand what you said, Your Majesty. I will try to keep the officials in check but I don't know if it would last long."
Arin Helev nodded. "Thank you, Prime Minister. As I said before, I'm only 22. Let me follow my heart this time and if there is really no way even after I give my best, I will take the concern of the officials to heart and married. So, I want you to trust that I won't allow Qalagon to suffer any harm for my decision. No matter what, my kingdom will always be my priority."
Hearing the King's words, the Prime Minister flashed a satisfying smile. "I always trust you, Your Majesty."
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