"What are you talking about, Orius?" King Tobias asked his son.
Did he have any involvement in that incident? What kind of question was that?!
"Commander Iria never participated in hunting. But today, she did because you asked her to. Why must she be attacked during the event? Why do you insist on letting her participate?" Orius Aventine grunted. His anger was more than evident in his voice but... he never once raised his voice.
"I only did that because I thought Princess Athena will feel uncomfortable if she is the only woman to participate in the event. I don't even expect Iria to hunt. I told her that her presence is enough," the King firmly stated. Staring at his son, disappointment was written all over his face!
"How can I believe you?" the Prince argued. Despite his father's expression, he had no intention to back down. His father might be the King but he was never a coward.
"Orius... " The King felt too helpless. What had gotten into the mind of his younger son?
"Iria is like a daughter to me. No... I love her as much as I love my children," he finally said, trying to sound as firm as he could. "Did you know that ever since I heard about what happened to her, I can't do anything else because I fear that she might leave me like your sister did?
"I already lost one daughter, Orius. I don't want to lose another one!"
Orius Aventine observed his father as if he tried to know if he was serious. Then he briefly narrowed his eyes before he took two steps back. "I will get to the bottom of this matter, Father. If what I find out didn't match your words, I will never forgive you."
With that said, Orius Aventine left the chamber despite his father's constant calling of his name.
Once his son was out of his sight, King Tobias didn't even know what to do. With Orius's words repeatedly played in his mind, he abruptly sat on the chair.
What made him behave like that? He knew that he had gotten quite close to Iria after they spent a few months together in Qalagon but... that wasn't Orius he used to know.
The King admitted that he didn't have that great of a relationship with his younger son. However, Orius was always aloof. Rather than voicing his anger, he would just avoid him. That's what his second son always did. But tonight... he seemed like a different person.
When one possibility crossed his mind, the King shook his head. No. That's not possible.
Glancing at one corner in the chamber, his gaze landed on the ornament that was hanged in the hilt of his sword. "Is this your way of punishing me?" he muttered as if he was talking to someone. "But still... Iria is innocent. Her only crime is being loyal to me. So please... don't take her. You can take me instead. She did nothing wrong."
Turning his head away, the King wiped his face with his palm. His eyes hinted at anxiety and desperation. He meant what he said to Orius. He really didn't want to lose another daughter. Losing one broke his heart and if the number increase, he was sure that it would break him completely!
While the King was lost in his fears, he was snapped out by the sound of the knocking on his door. Briefly fixing his composure, he responded, "Come in."
King Tobias recognized the one who entered as the royal doctor. Rising from his seat, all his attention was focused on the doctor right away. "How is she?"
"The poison is the same as the one used on the Princess, Your Majesty," the doctor informed the King. "However, unlike Her Highness, Commander Iria didn't consume the poison and it's her hand that first contact the poison. That's a huge relief. I manage to slow down the effect and give her the antidote before it affects her organs. So, there is hope."
King Tobias sighed in relief before a subtle smile appeared on his lips. "That's great news, doctor. When will she wake up? She can fully recover, right?"
"I can't be sure of when she would wake up, Your Majesty. It might take a few days and even a week," the royal doctor replied. "The Commander is strong and she is in great shape right now. So, I bet she will fully recover as long as the poison is killed."
"Alright. I want you to give your all in curing her. If there is anything you need, just say it and I will find a way to get it no matter what it is," the King quickly said to the doctor.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will try my best not to disappoint you," the doctor replied and then followed the King out of the chamber to visit the Commander.
King Tobias finds his son sitting near Iria's bed. The look on the Crown Prince's face was too hard for the King to bear. Zaro's gaze was on Iria the whole time and he didn't even know his father's arrival.
"Zaro."
The Crown Prince almost flinched when he felt his father's touch on his shoulder.
"Father," he muttered as he looked up. Then he noticed that his father wasn't much different from him. It was more than evident that this incident had a huge effect on him.
King Tobias sat beside his son and then glanced at the Commander who was lying on the bed. "Don't worry too much, Zaro," he muttered in a low yet soothing voice. "She will be fine. There is hope this time."
"I should have stayed with her," the Crown Prince muttered and still, his gaze didn't leave Iria. "I was so childish."
"There are things which we can't avoid no matter what," the King calmly said to his son. "Someone makes a perfect plan and it's a relief that they don't succeed in killing her."
"My sister is already dead, Father. And yet her case is still unsolved," Zaro Aventine grunted. "Now they are targeting Iria. If we don't solve the case soon, Iria will always be in danger."
"I know," the King said. "We must also do something so that our enemies won't take advantage of this situation. Iria will need time to recover and we have to ensure her safety during that."
Trying to get ahold of himself for his friend's sake, Zaro Aventine nodded at his father's words. "Leave that to me, Father. I will make sure that she is safe here."
The King nodded in approval and after giving a quick thought, he turned his head to the door. "Callan."
Soon enough, the door was opened and Captain Callan of the Royal Guards made his way inside. "Your Majesty."
"Make sure that words about Commander Iria didn't get out. No one outside the palace must know about this matter and if anyone spread the news, they will be punished for defying a royal order," the King commanded.
"I understand," Captain Callan quickly replied with his head bowed.
"Also send someone to summon General Rion. I want to meet him."
With that said, the Captain quickly left the palace to comply with the King's orders.....
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