Arin Helev was in the camp of the Royal Army. Though he can't spend much time there like he did when he was the Crown Prince, he always made sure to check on them from time to time. His friend was doing a great job in handling the army.
Standing on top of the pavilion which was a few metres above the ground, his gaze was fixated on the training of the soldiers but... his mind was somewhere else.
It had been a week since Emperor Kalos returned to his empire and what the Emperor told him bothered him since then.
He was worried about Iria.
Trying to figure out what might make her wish to leave, he finds it hard to concentrate on other things. However...
Hanson Lorin came to him and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. "What are you thinking?"
The young King stared at his best friend who was always in a good mood ever since he married the woman he loved since childhood. Then he let out a sigh. "You don't have to know," he bluntly replied.
The General frowned at the response. "You're so mean, Your Majesty." When he realized one thing, he asked, "By the way, I rarely see Commander Nico these days. What is he up to?"
"He told me that he considered shifting the camp of his Petrus Army to the province which is the nearest to our border with Nardodia. So, he is busy looking for a good place," Arin Helev replied.
Though he also thought that it was a good idea, he was feeling a bit uneasy about it. He was well aware of how much the Commander loathed Aryan Tripas.
"That's great," Hanson Lorin remarked. "The Nardodians are the most unpredictable ones among our neighboring kingdoms. Having the Petrus Army near the border will help us a lot."
Arin Helev only nodded and shifted his gaze back to the soldiers. "Speed up the training as fast as possible," he said, making his friend raised a brow. "You need to prepare them to be ready to fight a war anytime."
"Is there any problem?" the General promptly asked. There was an upcoming war?
"Though nothing is certain for now, we might need to fight against the Jerivians," Arin Helev stated with all seriousness. Though the Emperor only asked to station his troops in his kingdom, he wanted to be prepared too.
If she indeed wish to leave, he was determined to let it happen.
The King noticed the bewilderment on his friend's face and said, "If we really have to fight, I will explain to you. For now, just concentrate on bringing out the best in the soldiers."
Hanson Lorin nodded though confusion was still there. "I understand."
* * *
Rion stared at his Commander who sat still on her tent for the whole day. After he saw her practicing endlessly under the rain three days ago, she remained that way as if she was paralyzed. Now, night already arrived again.
Much to Rion's surprise, Commander Iria suddenly spoke up for the first time in the day.
"You still investigate that incident, right?"
Rion instantly understood that she was talking about the assassination of her father. "Yes, Commander."
"Stop investigating," Iria Alewine commanded, making Rion raised a brow. "I don't need it anymore."
There could be two reasons. One was that she find out the truth and the other one was that she changed her mind on it. Rion doubted that it would be the former.
She won't be this calm if she really finds out the truth.
"You changed your mind?" he cautiously asked his Commander.
"I know the truth now," Iria Alewine muttered as she clenched her fist.
Rion quietly stared at his Commander for a while as he knew that she will tell him if necessary. If she didn't, there will be a reason.
A few seconds passed and his Commander was still sitting there. She didn't make any movement but... it was obvious that something was bothering her. Her face said it all.
"Rion, what will happen to the army if I die?"
Rion's eyes grew wide as it was the first time she ever asked him such a question!
"What are you saying, Commander? Why would you die?" he argued. Her question made his uneasiness rose by ten folds!
Finally, Iria Alewine shifted her gaze to Rion. "If I happen to die, I want you to become the Commander. No matter what, you should protect the army."
Rion tried to speak up again but... he saw his Commander rising from her seat and prepared to... go out?
But it's raining!
"Commander, where are you going?" he asked, dumbfounded. The strange things that she said made him a bit anxious too.
"I have something to do," Iria Alewine said and stormed out of the tent before Rion could say anything.
*
Iria finds herself standing before the huge door to the main palace. Once again, her clothes were drenched in the rain as she braved the heavy rain to reach here.
After three days of torment, she couldn't be still anymore.
She wanted to know everything and... she had something to do.
She was never a patient person and that's one of her biggest flaws.
Not to mention that the excruciating pain she felt in her heart was enough to turn a sane person into a crazy one!
Backing down wasn't a choice anymore as she walked inside the palace and made her way to the King's chamber.
Just like that day, there were no guards on the door to the King's chamber. She stood still before the door and narrowed her eyes. She knocked on the door out of habit but... she opened it and walked inside before she even heard a response.
At her sight, it was obvious that King Tobias who was sitting on a chair behind his desk was taken aback. He raised a brow as he observed her drenched clothes. Then he rose from his seat and walked towards her.
"Iria, what happened?" he asked with concern. "You're all wet." He reached out his hand to her but... she took a step back, surprising him once again.
What does this mean?
"Iria... " He watched how she refused to look at him and even evaded his touch! This had never happened before!
While he stared at her with a bewildered face, he heard her voice.
"Why did you do that, Your Majesty? Why must you kill my father?"
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