Orius Aventine thought about Kerin's response. However, he wasn't convinced no matter how much he thought about it.
"He is not that kind of person, Kerin," he argued. "He loved the people more than he loved himself. He will not want to make them suffer just to avenge himself."
Kerin looked at the Second Prince who was still firm in his belief. He understood him but... he wanted the best for him. He deserved that.
"Commander Iria serves the King without knowing anything, Your Highness," Kerin stated. "Will you allow her to continue living that way? She is your twin sister, your only family."
"I will protect her," Prince Orius promptly uttered in a firm voice. "If the King isn't sincere in his affection for her, I will already stop her, Kerin. I only hold back all those years because this is the only way for me to protect her. However, if the King ever changed his mind, I won't be still. I will never allow her to suffer the same fate as our father."
Shifting his gaze from Kerin, Orius lifted the blood-stained sword. "I won't hesitate to end anyone who dares to harm her. If necessary, I will even take over the throne just like you suggest. I can do anything to keep her safe."
Orius Aventine was more than firm in his goal. After all, she was his only reason for living though Iria had no idea about it.
* * *
Iria Alewine was alone in her chamber. Though she planned to return to the camp after meeting the King, she wanted to be in a quiet place and concentrate on her thoughts after she heard what happened to Minister Julian. So, her mansion was the best choice for her like always.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt lost.
Who would be daring enough to assassinate a high-ranking official like Minister Julian?
Did it have some connection with the incident from a week ago?
King Aryan Tripas crossed her mind but... a part of her doubted that. It's not like his plan failed because of the Minister. Then...
She shook her head. It won't be Arin Helev. It was impossible for him to know what happened inside the royal court.
Just who would it be?
Minutes quickly passed, turning to an hour and then another hour. However, the Masked Commander was too fixated on her thoughts to even know that. So, she was quite startled when she heard the sound of the knocking on her door. She darted her eyes to the door and then responded.
A guard walked inside and told her that the Second Prince came to meet her. The news stunned Commander Iria to the point where it made her forget everything else!
Prince Orius came, for real? That's the first! He had never come to her mansion before!
Without saying anything, she rose from her seat and walked out of her chamber. She still couldn't believe what she heard but... Orius Aventine was really standing inside her mansion, making her blinked.
What does this mean?
"Your Highness," she muttered and when she stood right before him, she slightly bowed. "What brings you here?"
"I figure out that you will be quite troubled by what happened," Orius Aventine said to her. "My father and Zaro are busy, so I came."
She looked at him as if he was a ghost and he understood why. It's his first time here in this mansion which was supposed to be his home instead of the palace where he grew up.
He might live as an Aventine but... he was an Alewine by blood.
Iria Alewine realized that the Second Prince was always pretty friendly these days. He didn't switch between his two personalities that much anymore. So, she convinced herself that this wasn't too out of ordinary.
"I'm glad, Your Highness," she said with a little smile. "Please come this way."
"Rather than staying inside... " Prince Orius muttered, halting her from turning around. "Why don't you give me a tour of your mansion? You know it's my first time."
The Commander looked at the Second Prince with an unreadable face before she nodded. "Alright."
The two made their way out and Iria led Prince Orius around her mansion and its vast surroundings. Several chambers and pavilions, a large training ground, quarters for the servants and soldiers, a stable and a small garden in the backyard which she rarely visited... there were many things to see. There was also a small yet beautiful pond near the pavilion on the right and a small curved bridge was laid above it.
After walking around for a while, the two halted on the bridge, admiring the beauty of the pond. Fishes of many species swam in the pond, making it even more delightful to the eyes.
"You have a beautiful mansion, Commander Iria," Prince Orius remarked, gazing down at the pond with fishes in it.
"That's right, Your Highness. It will be great if someone who can explore its beauty to the fullest were to live here and not a Commander like me who is rarely home," Iria Alewine frankly replied yet there was a little smile on her face.
"Why?" the Second Prince asked. "I bet you will be able to be home often if you really wish."
"That's right too," Iria said. "But I think a camp with many soldiers is preferable than a lonesome home." With a light chuckle, Iria added, "This mansion, the palace and the Alewine Army camp. If I were to choose the place I spent the least time with, it will be this mansion."
Little did she know the two words 'lonesome home' pricked his heart. However, like he did for many years, Orius didn't show anything.
"I still remember," he said. "You practically lived in the palace while you were young."
Iria laughed. "My father was always busy, so His Majesty didn't allow me to be alone too often. That's why I always ended up spending days and nights in the palace. I don't want the King to be worried."
Hearing and witnessing her talking about the King with mirth put Orius in a daze. The two shared too deep of a bond that only grew deeper over the years and... if the truth was to be exposed, she will surely break! She won't be able to take it.....
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