The attack launched to bring the remaining soldiers and their families to Qalagon was very successful. Though Jerivia joined hands with Nathania for the war, Arin Helev and the others didn't attack the capital as Iria's advice.
The remaining soldiers already brought the families to a safe place in the outskirts of the capital and made a move when their friends came for them. Many of the deceased families still wished to leave with the others while some opted to stay.
As such, they were safely escorted out of Jerivia with just a few deaths and casualties among the soldiers in the process.
Arin Helev and everyone reached the capital again after two weeks since they left. By this time, Iria had recovered a lot. Though her wounds weren't healed completely, she had regained her strength after a good rest for two weeks. She wasn't that anxious while Arin was gone because she believed in him.
She knew that he will succeed as long as he remain focused.
The moment he reached the palace, Arin Helev rushed to the chamber where Iria was staying. When he made his way inside the chamber, he finds her standing near the windows, lost in her thoughts.
Seeing her again after two weeks, his lips curved into a little smile. He walked closer to her and hugged her from behind. Iria Alewine narrowed her eyes at her left shoulder where he placed his head. Realizing that he was being careful not to hurt her made her smiled.
"I thought that you will be here by evening," she pointed out. "It's only afternoon now."
"I quickened my pace to reach early," Arin Helev muttered. "I was worried but it seems like you recover well. I'm glad."
"All I did was staying here and chat with Vienna and my brother. It's only fair that I see the result. I was bored to death."
Arin Helev chuckled at her blunt response. She was still the same. She still hated the idea of being stuck indoors.
"Arin."
"What's the matter?"
"I think I recover enough to visit Rion's grave now," the Commander said in a low voice. "Once things are settled here, I will be leaving with my cousin. I want to make sure that I visit Rion's grave before that. So, will you take me there?"
Arin Helev wondered if her mental state was stable enough for that. This wasn't just about physical but mostly mental.
Rion sacrificed his life for her and he was her closest companion.
Was she really prepared for this? What if it took a toll on her health again?
"Please take me to the grave," Iria pleaded. "I don't think I will be able to leave without seeing him."
Arin Helev gave a quick thought and finally nodded. "Alright. Let's go there."
*
In the west of the capital which was about two hours away from the palace was the grave of the soldiers. In a separate section, the bodies of the deceased Alewine soldiers were buried and in the middle, there was Rion's grave.
Standing a few steps opposite Rion's grave, the Commander stood still with her gaze never leaving the ground where her closest companion was buried. Arin Helev also stood a few steps behind her.
The Commander still remembered every word he said to her, his devotion and loyalty. He was always the one who cared about her the most and the one who was the most devoted to her.
He lived his whole life for her and the army and still, he died for her. Zaro Aventine's arrow was meant for her but she ended up losing Rion while she lived.
Slowly, Iria walked closer to the grave and when it was just two steps away, she got down on her knees. As she touched the tombstone, the Masked Commander clenched her fist.
"You never get to rest while you stay beside me, so you should get a good rest now," she muttered. "Leave other things to me, Rion. You don't have to worry about me or anything else anymore."
She revealed a small knife and cut her left palm. She clenched her palm, letting her blood dropped in the tombstone. "I swear in the name of my late father, Darien Alewine, that I won't stop until I avenge you," she uttered with determination.
"No matter how long it will take, I will make sure that Zaro Aventine paid for what he did. He will know that killing you was the most heinous crime he could ever commit in his life," she firmly added and put down her hand.
"Be patient, Rion. You know I'm never a patient person but... I'm willing to wait. I won't be reckless anymore and I will learn to become a patient person," she muttered. "Until then, watch over me. Until I become stronger, more patient and less reckless, please watch over me. You know I always lost my way if you aren't here to correct me."
Quietly staring at the grave, Iria Alewine forced one last smile. Then she get back on her feet and slowly walked to Arin who quickly approached her. Without saying anything, Arin Helev took out a handkerchief.
Iria watched him as he quietly covered her left palm with the handkerchief and...
"I love you," the three words escaped her lips for the first time, making the Qalagon King halted whatever he was doing.
She only realized now that he was the greatest blessing in her life and... she was grateful that he didn't give up on her.
If he indeed gave up, what will become of her?
She didn't even want to think further.
Arin Helev lifted his gaze to met hers. "Do you know this, Iria?" he asked and said, "I know that but... it was always the words I want to hear the most. You may not know but my heart makes me insecure."
Having her back was his biggest wish and he always sounded confident but in reality, he was scared.
Scared to lose her forever.
Sometimes, love turns a person into a brave one but... there are also times when it turns the same person into a coward.
That's the magic and undefinable power of love and Arin Helev understood it more than anyone else.
"You don't have to feel that way again," Iria Alewine reassured him. "I won't change. From now on, you'll be my priority."
Those were the words he never dared to dream of hearing! He always knew that she cared for him but... he wasn't the first in line. He wasn't second or third either but... he understood her as he was almost the same. But in his life, she could be considered as second only to his kingdom.
"I think I'm fine with being second," he jokingly said to her. "I know you have many things to do and more responsibilities will surely await you. There is a long life ahead of us."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢