"Why won't you go to the ball?" Standing near the couch where Andres sat, Iria looked down at her cousin with a perplexed face. "We are here for the celebration, Andres. It's not good to skip any of the events."
"I really don't feel like it," the Crown Prince argued. "Just go on without me."
Letting out a sigh, Iria glanced at her husband who was standing beside her. "Arin, will you please go ahead? I will join you later with Andres."
Arin Helev briefly glanced at his friend before he nodded and walked out of the chamber.
Once Arin was gone, Iria took a seat beside her cousin and looked at him. "What's wrong?" she asked. "This is not like you."
"I don't think I'll be able to face Maria," Andres Francia muttered. He recalled how hard it was to see her with that Duke last night and he didn't want another show. What Maria said to him before made things harder for him.
"You said you want to move on, Andres," the Qalagon Queen uttered. "Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
When her cousin maintained his silence, Iria narrowed her eyes. She was never good at comforting others and even now, she was still the same. She always felt tight-lipped in this kind of situation.
"Hold on for two more days," she finally said in a low voice. "After that, everything will be over. You can start anew."
It was obvious that he was struggling. Why did he agree to attend this gathering while he was in this situation?
Didn't he know that it will only hurt him more?
Andres Francia shifted his gaze to her and after a few seconds, he said, "I worried you a lot, right? I'm sorry for that."
"It's fine. This is what family is for." She saw him flashing an unconvincing smile and she continued, "Come with me. The ball won't take long. Just show your face and we can leave early if you wish."
Crown Prince Andres thought about it yet his expression remained impassive. Then he finally nodded. "Fine then."
The Qalagon Queen smiled and promptly pulled up her cousin who slightly chuckled at her action. Then they made their way to the ballroom.
A ball.
It was one of the few things which Iria still hated even after living as a royal for a year. She didn't hate normal gatherings and feasts anymore but... ball wasn't really her cup of tea. She always wished to skip it but it would be rude if she didn't show up. After all, she was here to attend the gathering.
The huge door of the ballroom was opened for them and the cousins were greeted by King Richard and Crown Princess Maria.
Due to what happened just around two hours ago, the atmosphere between the two heir apparent was quite heavy. However, Iria tried to cover things as much as possible.
The moment they walked away from the father and daughter, Iria Helev abruptly halted, surprising Andres. Without saying anything, Iria remained rooted in her place.
"What's the matter?" Andres asked and his gaze trailed hers.
The Crown Prince raised a brow when he saw Zaro Aventine standing before Arin. With their gazes locked, it seemed like the situation wasn't good! However, Arin Helev seemed to be pretty calm despite exchanging the Jerivian King's unrelenting gaze.
Well, he was always that way.
"Let's go," Iria suddenly said and made her way to her husband and her former best friend.
The two men only noticed Iria when she was just two or three steps away from them.
"Iria," Arin muttered with a smile and offered his hand to her which the latter promptly hold.
"Is everything alright, Arin?" she asked, briefly glancing at Zaro Aventine.
Arin nodded. "We were just having a small chat."
Once Iria stood beside Iria, Athena Aventine also came and stood next to her husband. "Arin, it's been a while," she greeted Arin Helev with a smile. It was obvious that she wanted to mend the situation.
Queen Athena was the niece of Queen Lorey Helev, his stepmother in the name. She was the cousin of Morin. As such, Arin refrained from being cold to her.
"It is," he said with a nod.
"How is Morin?" Athena asked him.
The Qalagon King still remembered how this woman always spent a lot of time with Morin whenever she came to Qalagon. Though those memories were from the time when Qalagon and Nathania still had a good relationship, he knew that Athena truly cared for Morin.
"He's doing fine," he replied, only answering her exact question. Nothing more or less.
"I'm glad," Athena Aventine said. "I always miss him a lot."
The Jerivian Queen looked at her husband and she noticed how he repeatedly narrowed his eyes at Iria's hand that hold on to Arin's arm.
Did it bother him this much?
"I really hope that we can meet all together and settle everything one day," she spoke up again, looking at Iria. "After all, we're neighbouring kingdoms."
"I'm not sure, Queen Athena." It was Arin who spoke up with his usual calm voice. He maintained his composure all the time and looked at Zaro Aventine. "Not every sin is pardonable," he firmly added.
Athena Aventine tried to speak up but... Iria beat her at that.
"It's been a few weeks since your marriage, right?" She asked and continued, "Congratulations. I hope you live a happy and long life together."
Her words finally drew the attention of Zaro Aventine. He lifted his gaze and looked at her. Then he looked at Arin Helev who was looking at her with a little smile on her face.
Up until a year ago, he used to be the one who stood beside her and Arin Helev was the enemy.
How could this day come?
"Thank you," he muttered, finally breaking the silence that he maintained since Iria joined them. "Congratulations on your marriage too."
Iria met his gaze, trying to figure out what was on his mind. However, it wasn't an easy feat! She only knew one thing.
He was still the same as the time she left him - twisted.
He won't change any more.
"Thank you, King Zaro." This time, it was Arin who spoke up.. Looking at Iria with a little smile, he added, "We appreciate it."
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