"I don't know that you love hunting, Crown Princess."
Arin Helev was in the Brinet Forest with Crown Princess Maria of Vialand. The two royals were riding horses and they were also accompanied by some soldiers.
"I enjoy it but... I'm not that good," the Crown Princess remarked with a little smile. "I heard that you're always the winner in the hunting event during the annual tournament except for this year, Your Majesty."
The Crown Princess's words reminded the young King of the reason why he didn't win this year. The assassination attempt that was still left unsolved. However, he was already convinced that it was the doing of Aryan Tripas.
That scheming King knew his relationship with Iria and that made everything clear.
"We can't always be the winner," he replied after a while. He glanced around and noticed that the small cave where he finds Iria with that fake guard was near. This made him narrowed his eyes at the braided bracelet on his wrist.
Trailing his gaze, the Crown Princess's eyes landed on the bracelet. "That caught my attention since our dinner the night I arrived," she confessed. "I'm sure that it will have a deep meaning."
The King of a powerful kingdom like him can afford all luxurious things yet he wore a common braided bracelet. That's what the Crown Princess meant.
"You're right," Arin Helev muttered and touched the bracelet. "This is one of my three most precious possessions."
The broken alliance marriage crossed the Crown Princess's mind. Was it connected?
But the Princess of Jerivia was already dead.
"Qalagon sure is vast compared to my kingdom," she pointed out, trying to change the topic. "We don't have this many mountains in my kingdom though around one-third is dominated by the same."
"But the remaining two-thirds work at your advantage, Crown Princess," Arin Helev stated. "It's enough to satisfy your people and I think that matters the most."
Thinking of what he said, Maria Kareno nodded with a smile. "You are very optimistic, Your Majesty. I think I understand why your people admire you so much. Whatever you say, it's always for their well-being."
"Seems like I'm starting to prove myself," Arin Helev stated with a little smile.
Glancing around, he took an arrow and aimed at the deer which was a few metres away. Soon, he released the arrow and shot down the deer. Two soldiers quickly ran there to collect the deer.
"I think it should be enough," Crown Princess Maria uttered. "Why don't we return and discuss the trading deal, along with the peace treaty?"
A bit confused, Arin Helev looked at the Vialand Crown Princess. "That soon? It's only been two days since you arrived."
"I think I've seen and know you enough, Your Majesty," the Crown Princess simply said. "Besides, how your people think of you already makes everything clear. So, I believe that you will stay true to your words and stand beside my kingdom no matter what happens." Still riding a horse, she slightly bowed her head to show her respect and sincerity.
Arin Helev nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness. You won't regret your decision."
* * *
A day already passed since Prince Orius came to visit her but Iria still finds it strange. Thinking of his visit, the assassination of Minister Julian didn't even have a place in her mind anymore.
There was something strange in the Prince but... she can't figure out what it was.
Whenever she felt like she was about to solve the puzzle, he always added more to it.
It had been a while since the sunset and it was almost time for dinner. She was stuck in her chamber all day yet she didn't even feel like eating. As such, she sat still on the couch near the door to the balcony, befriending her thoughts until... she was distracted by the sound of the knocking on her door.
"Come in."
A servant walked inside and halted a few steps beside her. "Commander, a letter came for you."
Letter? Iria Alewine wondered who might send her a letter. She didn't expect any letter but... when one thing crossed her mind, she raised a brow.
Was it already the time again?
She quickly rose from her seat and took the letter. Then the servant left.
The Commander opened the letter and it was just as she thought. Letting out a sigh, she debated about it before she eventually left her mansion with a horse.
She rode her horse for almost an hour and reached the Sublime Inn. The inn reminded the Commander of her sudden parting with Arin Helev when he came to Jerivia for her. He stayed in the same inn during his visit.
Trying to concentrate on her purpose, she walked inside the inn and halted near the door to one room. She knocked on the door and it was instantly opened for her. Then she made her way inside the room.
Just like the past three years, the same man was greeting her by bowing respectfully. A young man who must be in his mid-twenties.
The Commander recalled her conversation with the Prince yesterday and... she felt a bit tired. When will the Emperor stop doing this?
"Is your purpose the same?" she asked the young man from Cedore. Though this was their tenth meeting, she didn't even know his name and she didn't really care about it.
"When will your Emperor stop this?" she continued. "Nothing will change no matter how many times you come here. You should stop wasting your time on the long journey."
When the young man didn't say anything and turned to the right, the Commander's gaze trailed in that direction... only to see the Emperor of Cedore for the second time.
"Iria," Emperor Kalos Francia called out with a little smile. He turned to the young man and nodded. Then the young man quickly walked out of the room to give them some privacy.
The letter didn't mention the Emperor's visit. So, the Commander had no idea about this. She thought that it will just be that young man like always. As such, she ended up rooted in her place, stupefied.
"I'm glad to see you again," the Emperor said, still maintaining that little smile. "How have you been?"
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