The Masked Commander who felt weak throughout the night abruptly stood up when she heard the news.
King Tobias was dead?!
How?!
"What are you saying, Rion?" she inquired with shock and disbelief.
"A soldier just came from the palace to relay the news," Rion replied, almost panicked and unsure of what to do.
Iria Alewine couldn't think of anything else. "Handle the situation here," she said to Rion and hurriedly left for the palace.
*
The situation in the palace was a mess! It was nothing like last night, calm and quiet.
Even after raining for the whole night, it seemed like it won't stop raining soon.
The Commander walked past several hallways and also saw a few officials who all were astounded by the King's sudden passing. She finally reached the King's chamber only to find it empty. Then she made her way to the Crown Prince's chamber in a hurry.
When she reached the hallway to the Crown Prince's chamber, she saw some officials waiting for the Crown Prince near the door which was shut. The Prime Minister and the Minister of War were also among the officials who stood there.
With the King's death, the throne automatically passed to the successor though a coronation ceremony was still to be held later. So, it's only normal for the officials to look out for the Crown Prince in this kind of situation.
While Iria stood still, staring at the door, she heard the conversation of the officials.
"It seems like the Crown Prince is too devastated to do anything," one official said.
"It's understandable. He is still young to suffer all these. His sister died just a while ago and now, it's his father. Besides, his younger brother is even arrested as a suspect," the other official replied.
Iria Alewine raised a brow when she heard the last sentence. His younger brother...
Prince Orius was arrested?! As a suspect?!
How did things change to this extent in just one night?!
"You're here, Commander Iria." It was Prime Minister Dallas who talked to her. "I bet His Highness... no... His Majesty is too shocked by what happened. He won't let anyone inside and it's been an hour. Will you try to talk to him? He might listen to you."
The Prime Minister glanced around and shook his head. "I know that he will surely be having a hard time but... he is the King now. Everything is a mess and he is the only one who can solve it."
"Why is the Second Prince arrested?" Iria Alewine promptly asked. She still couldn't understand everything that was happening right now!
Prime Minister Dallas Vareky let out a sigh. "His Majesty died because of the wound on his head. The royal doctor said that he was hit by some sharp object. Prince Orius was the one who last went to the King's chamber and he was seen by some servants who walked inside the chamber.
"Though nothing is proven, for now, every evidence points towards the Second Prince. So, we need the new King to handle this matter too," he explained.
Iria Alewine narrowed her eyes and recalled the conversation between the late King and the Second Prince she overheard that day. She doubted that Prince Orius would do such a thing. He wasn't that cruel!
Finally, she walked closer to the door and reached out her hand to knock. However, she changed her mind and opened it without even knocking. Her action surprised everyone who was standing near the door but the Commander ignored everyone and walked inside.
Iria saw Zaro sitting on the chair. His elbows were propped up on the table and his palms covered his ears as if he tried to ignore everything that happened.
He tried to run away from reality.
The Commander walked closer to her friend and placed her hand on his shoulder. Her action made him flinched and he quickly looked up at her with his eyes that hinted at torment. His face was more than pale too. However, when he saw her, he shut his eyes. Still sitting on the chair, he wrapped his arms around her body and hugged her tightly.
Iria narrowed her eyes at him and caressed his hair. She didn't know anything else to do. Her mind went blank and she felt tight-lipped.
"Iria... " Zaro called out her name. He sounded so desperate that it broke her heart. "I don't know what to do," he muttered.
She recalled the time when her father passed away. With all the responsibilities suddenly falling in her hands, she felt lost and scared. After all, she was just 17 at that time.
Zaro was the one who encouraged her and gave her strength at that time. So, she didn't want him to be alone while he was facing the same thing. No matter what his father did, Zaro was still her friend.
She was never good at comforting others. So, for a few minutes, all she did was standing there while he clung on to her like a baby.
"The officials are waiting for you, Zaro," she finally muttered, breaking the silence that goes on for minutes. "You must stay strong. Jerivia depends on you now," she said to him in a calm and assuring voice.
She hated that even after knowing what the late King did, his demise still pained her. After all, those memories she created with him couldn't be easily forgotten.
She was really not prepared for this.
"Will you be by my side?" Zaro asked her in a low voice. He still had no plan to pull back.
Though it was hard, Iria Alewine nodded. "I will. Don't worry."
*
Things were hectic for the whole day.
The passing of the King was announced but not in detail. Even the arrest of the Second Prince was still kept a secret. The whole kingdom started mourning for the King and as per the custom, it should last for a week.
During this one week, everything else should be put aside, except safeguarding the kingdom. As such, the case couldn't be continued either and Prince Orius had to remain in the cell for special cases. He was asked if he would like to see the late King for one last time but... he refused. His decision shocked everyone.
Throughout the mourning period, Iria didn't leave Zaro's side as she promised. She stayed beside him and assisted him in everything. Though it was hard, the long and exhausting week for every Jerivian eventually passed without much problem.....
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