King Tobias didn't know what to say. If Iria already knew the relationship between his late daughter and Commander Nico Petrus, it would make no sense for him to turn down Nico Petrus's request but... Iria was sick.
No matter what, Nico Petrus was still the Commander of an enemy kingdom. It's not like he can tell him that the pillar of his kingdom was sick and she will need time to recover!
When Nico Petrus stared at the King, he understood that something was going on. He instantly felt uneasy. "Did something happen to Commander Iria?" he asked. "Where is she?"
King Tobias didn't say anything and only rose from his seat. Once again, he stood near the windows and the cold breeze blew in his face. It only made him more aware of the complicated situation.
Almost anxious, Nico Petrus stood up and stared at the back of the Jerivian King. "You must tell me the truth, Your Majesty. If anything happens to her, my King will never let it slide. He won't forgive you and please... don't force me to point my sword at your kingdom. For the sake of Princess Iria... I don't want to do that."
Hearing the Commander's voice which seemed quite desperate, King Tobias turned around and met his gaze. Somehow, he understood that Nico Petrus really wished for no bloodshed between the two kingdoms.
He maintained his silence for a while and let out a breath, he finally said, "Iria is sick." Observing Nico Petrus's gaze, he added, "She is poisoned with the same type of poison used on my daughter."
Poison. How this one word killed his lover crossed the Commander's mind and the pain relived in his heart. However, his face turned pale when he finally realized what the King was saying.
Same poison? Does that mean...
"Her life isn't in danger and she already wakes up," Tobias Aventine clarified when he noticed the change in Nico's reaction. "She didn't consume the poison but the arrow which the assassins used to attack her was poisoned. That cut the flesh of her palm."
Relief washed through the Commander when he heard the King. "Please let me meet her," he pleaded.
"You are never the type to care about others this much, Nico," King Tobias remarked as he observed the Commander's face. "Is that because of your King? I never know that you can be this devoted."
"I'm always loyal to Qalagon but when it comes to a person, I'm only devoted to the ones who deserved it and that's the current King," Nico Petrus said without even thinking twice. "Besides, you should believe me, Your Majesty. You won't want to trigger his rage. Not to mention that only a few matters can let that happen and among all those matters, the Masked Commander will surely be at the top."
If those words were said to him by any other Qalagons, King Tobias will surely be offended but he knew that Nico Petrus meant no harm. So, he decided to not comment on it.
"You can meet her but only if she agrees to meet you," he finally said to Commander Nico. "I bet you know that she's like a daughter to me. I have no intention to force her to meet you if she didn't want."
Nico Petrus nodded at the King's words. "Alright."
Soon, he followed the King out of his chamber and the guards at the door seemed to be surprised. However, they didn't dare to say anything. After all, they don't know who he was. When they reached one hallway, King Tobias told him to wait for a while which he did. Soon enough, the King returned and told him to go and meet the Masked Commander.
Nico Petrus walked towards Iria's chamber and despite the piercing stares of the guards there, he remained unfazed and made his way inside the chamber. There, he saw Commander Iria sitting on the bed with her back pressing against the backrest and a familiar young man who stood beside her bed. He identified the man as the one who came with her to Qalagon as her guard.
Though the King had already informed her about this, Iria Alewine was still surprised to meet Nico Petrus in the palace of all places. She realized that his connection with the King might be deeper than she imagined. However, when Nico Petrus almost reached her bed, Rion stepped up and stood in his way.
"Rion," she called out, drawing his attention back to her.
"He is a Commander from Qalagon," Rion argued. "How can I let him come nearer than this, Commander?"
"It's fine," Iria said, glancing at Nico Petrus. "He's trustworthy."
"I can stand here. I don't mind," Nico Petrus spoke up for the first time. As a Commander himself, he understood Rion. It never hurt to be cautious.
Iria briefly looked at Nico Petrus before she turned back to Rion and nodded. With this, Rion walked out of the room with reluctance.
"I hope you understand him, Commander Nico. With the poisoning incident still unsolved, he is very cautious these days," she explained to Nico Petrus.
True to his words, Nico Petrus remained in his place. Then he said, "Seems like you have a reliable soldier, Commander Iria. I think I understand why your Army is always at the top."
"That's an overstatement, Commander Nico," Iria Alewine promptly said. "Why don't you take a seat?"
Nico Petrus glanced around and then took a seat on the couch near the balcony. Though it was a few steps away from where the bed was, he thought of it as the best choice. "It's best for me not to create trouble during my short stay here," he muttered with a small smile.
Iria Alewine smiled at his comment and asked, "What brings you here? Did you come to meet His Majesty?"
"That's right," Nico Petrus said with a nod. "But I also come to see you."
"I heard how you fulfil your promise to me," Iria Alewine quickly said. "Thank you, Commander Nico."
"No need for that. You already know that he is now the King. Even without a promise, that will always be my duty," Nico Petrus replied. "And... I also meet you with his request."
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