Murmur erupted in the royal court of Jerivia for the second time in a day. Everyone in the court were shocked by the response of the Masked Commander!
Despite this, Iria Alewine stood still, unfazed by everything. However, the empty seat of the Crown Prince disheartened her a bit. Zaro was out of the capital and if he were to know this, he will surely rushed back no matter what his business in other provinces was!
Once again, she was reminded of how well planned this was!
"You should clear your mind, Commander Iria." It was Prime Minister Dallas who spoke up this time. "You have the right to speak up for yourself," he added in a calm voice.
"The result is base on the investigation, Prime Minister," Iria Alewine responded and firmly added, "Not on the claim of the suspect."
Her last sentence and firm voice made many officials felt uneasy. The majority of the officials believed in her innocence and they somehow feel scared.
They won't want to turn the celebrated Commander of their kingdom into a rebel!
All the time, the King maintained his silence. However, little did they know he was struggling hard to appear calm as he did now! He tightly squeezed his clothes as he glanced down at the officials and the Commander.
"Then the investigation should start," Minister Julian broke the silence that goes on for more than a minute. His words turned all attention back to the King who will be making the decision.
All the officials wondered what the King was thinking, given the fact that he already maintained his silence for a while. Though investigation was necessary for this kind of matter, they somehow doubt that the King would agree to it. The close relationship between King Tobias and the Masked Commander was no news to them.
As such, almost every official could felt their jaw dropped to the floor when they saw the King nodded at the Captain of the Royal Guards. And just like that, Commander Iria was taken away from the royal court.
"Remember my words," the King said once the door was shut. "No one should leave this hall until the case is closed. I don't care even if it takes the whole day or even a week. No one will leave this place without my order."
*
"I apologize in advance, Commander Iria," Captain Callan of the Royal Guards said to Commander Iria as they made their way to the cell. "I will make sure that everything is over in an hour or two. Please bear with it for a while."
"It's fine," Iria Alewine said. "I'm the one who proposed this anyway. I'm more worried about the King."
"It's hard for His Majesty," the Captain promptly said. "You know how much he cared for you, Commander. Why must you wait?"
The two finds themselves standing before a prison cell. According to the rule, the Commander should be here during the investigation. Then Captain Callan opened the door for her.
"I know that His Majesty is not pleased with it," Iria Alewine muttered. "But this way, I think we will be able to avoid more problems in the future." Then she walked inside the cell. "Tell the King that I'm fine."
"I don't think he will listen," the Captain sighed. "You know it's already hard enough for you to get him on board. You barely persuade him to play along."
"That's right," Iria Alewine muttered, recalling his cold gaze before. "I will meet him once things are settled."
Captain Callan nodded his head. "That might help."
Soon, the Captain left and Commander Iria sat on the floor in one corner with her back pressing against the wall.
Just one more step... she told herself. One more and everything will be done.
*
King Tobias already ordered the guards to go and search the mansion and the tent of the Masked Commander. However, the guards were told to be careful so that the words won't reach the people's ears. So, Captain Callan led his men in the search.
As the King's order, all the officials remained in the court, awaiting the result of the investigation. The King remained there too but when he was informed about one thing, he walked out of the royal court and made his way to his chamber.
Just as he was told, his younger son was waiting for him.
The moment Orius Aventine saw his father, he quickly walked to him. "What happened?" he asked in a not so pleasant voice. "Why is Commander Iria in a cell?"
The King was too tired to deal with his son. The pressure he felt in the past hours was no joke!
"I'll explain later," he sighed. "Everything will be fine soon."
"Fine?" the Prince asked with disbelief. "In your opinion, Father, what situation would you call it fine?"
"Orius... "
"Do you mean that everything will be fine once you get rid of Commander Iria?"
Tobias Aventine looked at his son as his eyes grew wide in disbelief. "Orius, just what are you implying?" he asked, almost sounding desperate. "How can you even say that?"
"Then why do you even lock her up?" the Second Prince snapped. "Treason? Do you believe that nonsense?"
"Of course not. I'm not a fool who cannot differentiate the ones who are loyal and disloyal to me," the King grunted. He had grown tired of this argument but... his son sneered.
"Don't say that, Father," Orius Aventine uttered. "You're only making a fool out of yourself." There was a grin, a mocking grin on his face that made him resembled some sort of a lunatic!
Seeing his son's expression, King Tobias was stunned! Was he still the same Orius that he used to know? He wasn't sure anymore!
Why did he always behave this way whenever Commander Iria was concerned? This wasn't the first time!
"Why don't you just say what you want to say?" he sighed, brushing off the thoughts that crossed his mind.
Orius looked at the King as he started to lose the control that he hold on to for years. "You say that you can differentiate the ones who are loyal and disloyal to you," he started. "Is that why you do that?"
"What do you mean?" the King inquired, confused.
Snorting at his father's ignorant 'act', Orius Aventine finally said, "Is that why you killed your best friend? Because he's loyal to you more than anyone else?"
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