There was no response from the Masked Commander and silence fell upon the room for a while. Iria Alewine indeed wanted to say something but... she failed to do that.
Understanding her situation, Emperor Kalos walked towards her. "I surprise you, right? I'm sorry. I was afraid that you would refuse to come if you know that I'm here too," he explained, patiently. "Why don't you take a seat?" He glanced around and took a seat on a chair, waiting for Iria to do the same.
Iria Alewine tried to get a grip of herself and turned to the Emperor. "What do you want? I already make myself clear," she said, sounding as firm as she could.
It wasn't easy.
She realized that what her father told her was right. The Emperor was too patient to still look at her with a calm smile. His calmness and patience reminded her of someone.
"I always want to meet you," Emperor Kalos Francia muttered. "I was busy and now, after three years, I finally find the time."
That wasn't the answer to her question but... the sincerity in his voice made her felt more troubled.
"You don't have to worry," the Emperor continued. "I have no intention to force you or make things difficult for you. The journey to reach here took me more than a week, so... can you give me just some of your time? I only want to see you."
The Masked Commander observed the Emperor and hesitated for a while. If he was an average man or if he wasn't from an enemy empire, she might be willing to warm up to him. After all, he was the brother who was precious to her late mother.
"Meeting the Emperor of an enemy empire in secret can be regarded as treason. You also hailed from a military family. You should understand that," she uttered. Her voice was quite cold this time.
Emperor Kalos narrowed his eyes. Was it because he was troubled by what she said? Iria Alewine wasn't sure.
"Do you know how many times have your King rejected my proposal for peace between our two countries? Ever since I took over the throne thirteen years ago, I sent him many letters, expressing my wish to negotiate but... he always refused," Emperor Kalos said to Iria. "If it wasn't for you, I will already give up."
"Why would he do that?" Iria argued. "We never ignored any kingdoms who wish to ally with us."
"Don't you understand?" the Emperor asked her back. "He doesn't want us to mend our relationship. He wants me far away from you."
"That's absurd." King Tobias won't do that.
Emperor Kalos Francia shook his head. "You don't know King Tobias well, Iria. He is not a good person as you think."
"Then... are you saying that you're a good person?" the Commander snapped, making the Emperor rose from his seat.
"No," he admitted in a somehow tired voice. "I never said that but... at least, I won't do anything that would harm you. You're my niece, Iria. I care for you genuinely."
For Iria Alewine, King Tobias in her memory also cared for her with sincerity.
"I know him well than you did," she retorted. "During all those years, don't you know that he is the one who look after me and gave me a family?"
Family. The single word made the Emperor struggled for words to say. He knew. They might be a blood-related family but... everything was a mess even before she was born and the bad blood between their two countries worsened the situation. He was well aware of that.
"You should be careful, Iria," he finally spoke up again with his voice as patient as ever. "I know it's hard to believe me but... your King is not as simple as you think. The way he is too determined to keep me away from you... everything is suspicious," he added, knowing that it might not work well with her.
It can't be helped. The strange action of King Tobias bothered him for many years now. Before, he sit back because she had her father. However, after the 'sudden' death of Commander Darien, he sensed that something was wrong.
His empire, Cedore had a good relationship with Qalagon and when he heard that the assassination was the doing of the Qalagons, he asked the former King Regan in person. However, Regan Helev claimed that he didn't order any assassination. That made his suspicion grew.
It was the reason why he was so adamant in bringing her to Cedore. He had a feeling that she wasn't safe here. She was the only daughter of his beloved sister and he didn't want her to be in danger. He wanted to keep her safe.
"You should stop slandering -"
"Have you ever wondered the mystery behind your father's death?" the Emperor suddenly asked, rendering Iria silent.
The Commander slightly raised a brow, wondering where this conversation was going. Her father's death? Why did the Emperor mention it all of a sudden?
"What are you trying to say?" She finally managed to utter the words.
"Don't trust the King too much," Emperor Kalos warned her. "I know that Qalagon wasn't behind that assassination. In that case, the one who's the most suspicious... is King Tobias Aventine."
The Masked Commander was taken aback once again! It's her first time hearing such an 'absurd claim'.
"That's -"
"I know you won't believe me," Emperor Kalos Francia promptly said, interrupting her from speaking once more. He was well aware of her close relationship with the King. "But I want you to be careful with him. Anything can happen. If you look at the assassination from a different perspective, I'm sure that you will be able to uncover the truth."
She was intelligent and he knew that. She was only blinded by her trust in the King.
Sometimes, a deep trust is all that needed to fool a smart person.
What the Emperor just said shook Iria to the core! Did he say what she trusted in until now... was just a fake?
That can't be.
"We always need courage to accept the truth, Iria," Emperor Kalos added in a gentle voice. "Even if it's for just once, try looking at things from the other side while putting away every personal feeling and trust. That way, you will be able to see the true nature of people around you."
Iria stood still and her brain couldn't even function well. The Emperor wouldn't say those without any clue and... that's what scared her. When the pressure became too much, she turned around and walked towards the door. Then she heard his voice again.
"If anything happens... come to my empire. I don't care how long you take, Iria. You will always be welcomed there."
The Commander halted for a while and nervously squeezed her clothes. After a few seconds, she finally left the room without turning back.....
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