One crime leads to another and that's exactly the case for Zaro Aventine.
Trying to cover up what happened that night, he ended up committing more crimes and... that turned him into a monster.
He caused his father's death; he framed and threatened Orius who lived as his younger brother for 20 years and now... even more despicable thoughts were in his mind.
Was he always this kind of person?
Even he wasn't sure anymore!
Iria Alewine was still rendered speechless by Zaro's confession.
It was an accident? That means he was indeed involved in his father's death!
"If you didn't try to leave, none of this would have happened!" Zaro Aventine shouted at her.
Slowly, she narrowed her eyes.
This wasn't Zaro Aventine she once used to know. Maybe a devil possessed him or... he was the devil himself!
He caused his father's death but... rather than showing remorse, he committed more crimes! Though his father was no better, at least he shouldn't do that while his father loved him the most!
"If the King is unworthy of my service, I'm free to lay down my sword and leave anytime," she finally spoke up, sounding more firm than ever. "Right now, Your Majesty, you're no better than your father."
"Are you saying that you will leave?" the King inquired. "You said that you will stay beside me."
"You are the one who first wronged me, Zaro," Iria Alewine uttered, showing no sign of backing down. "You trampled on our friendship and threatened Orius with my life." Making a brief pause, she asked, "Will you kill me if he didn't admit to killing your father?"
"Do you think I will do that?" Zaro Aventine asked her back.
"I believed that a man who is capable of doing that to his own father... is capable of anything. If I stand in your way, yes, you will do that." She briefly narrowed her eyes at her sword and said, "What you and your father makes me feel is already painful than death. Why don't you just kill me yourself and end the pain?"
Never once did Zaro Aventine thought he would hear her saying such words to him! He knew that he was walking down the wrong path but... he didn't know how to turn around anymore. It's too late.
"Please, Zaro. Stop this," Iria Alewine pleaded with her voice lower than ever. "If this goes on, you will not only destroy Jerivia but also yourself. Please... it's not too late to set things straight."
He heard her plea but... when all those incidents crossed his mind, he didn't believe that he could go back. She will never look at him the same and that's already the end for him.
"I can't do that," he said. He ignored her plea for the first time and hardened his heart.
Little did he know she was giving him the last chance to mend their relationship and... he just let that chance slipped away from his grasp.
"Once you choose that path, you won't be able to go back anymore," the Commander said to him. "This is just the beginning, Your Majesty. A crime will be followed by another bigger crime and it won't end.
"One day, you will find yourself drowned in the pool of the crimes you committed. When that time comes, remember what I said to you today. You are the one who destroy your life," she added, meeting his gaze the whole time.
"I won't allow you to leave," Zaro Aventine insisted. "No matter what, you will stay by my side."
"You make your decision and I will make mine," Iria Alewine told him. "I will leave no matter what and if you really wish to stop me, you can only do it by killing me."
Hearing her, the Qalagon King crossed Zaro Aventine's mind. His face darkened at the mere thought of her being with Arin Helev and... jealousy took the best of him.
"You will leave so that you can be with Arin Helev?" he sneered. "That won't happen!" he declared and turned his head to the door. "Guards!"
Iria Alewine knew what was coming and though she was prepared for this, the fact that it happened pained her much more than she could imagine!
The little hope she had left in him was finally gone and she knew that this was the end. He chose this path.
Hearing the King's voice, two guards who were on duty in the door quickly entered the chamber. "Your Majesty."
"Commander Iria helped Prince Orius to escape. Her case will be discussed in the court meeting. Until then, lock her up in the cell," the King declared his order, making the eyes of the two guards grew wide in shock!
For a few seconds, the two guards were too stupefied to even move!
Apart from what the King said, their deep friendship was known by every Jerivian and the new King was the one who always took her side in every matter.
What was happening right now?
Her heart was bleeding right before him but... he didn't even see it as he was too fixated on his rage that blinded him!
He didn't even know that he was doing what he never should.
The fact that he will regret it forever didn't even cross his mind as he was drowned in jealousy!
He just lost the best friend one could ever have but... he was a fool who didn't even know her worth, let alone cherish her.
Maybe he took her for granted.
However, he will soon know that she wasn't to be taken for granted.
He will.
"What are you waiting for?!" he barked at the guards. "Don't you hear my order?!"
The two guards finally get a grip of themselves and walked towards Iria. However, they weren't brave enough to grab the Masked Commander. As such, they were left in a complicated situation.
Iria Alewine glanced at Zaro and slowly, the pain in her eyes was replaced by a nonchalant one.
He wasn't worthy of her pain and... she won't give him the privilege to see it either.
When she finally composed herself, she turned her back at him and made her way to the cell, with the two guards trailing behind her.
She was devastated by their broken friendship but... she won't cry over it for he didn't even deserve a single drop of her tear anymore.....
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