Once Nico Petrus entered the meeting room to meet the King, one man came to the Queen and halted a few steps beside her. Then he got down on one knee. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
He was the Master Enaerion, Luca Agnelo.
Though the Enaerions were always being careful not to let many people spot them, the pavilion where Iria currently sat was a restricted area where no one was allowed to enter without her permission.
A few days after their marriage, Arin ordered the construction of the pavilion just for her and declared it as a restricted area. So, she only meet some close acquaintances here and in other cases, it would be a meeting, mostly secret.
"Did he reject this time as well?" the Queen asked the Master Enaerion.
"It's different this time, Your Majesty," the Master Enaerion promptly replied. "Prime Minister Dallas gave us a letter. It's for you."
"A letter?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied and handed the letter to the Queen.
Iria read the content of the letter and when she put it down, she pressed her right palm against her forehead. "He wants me to go to Jerivia if I wish to meet him," she muttered which the Master Enaerion didn't fail to hear.
Go to Jerivia? He was well aware of how dangerous it was! However, he won't speak or protest unless he was asked. He was trained that way.
"What is your opinion?" the Queen inquired, shifting her gaze to him. "Do you think the Prime Minister of Jerivia is serious about this matter?"
"It's dangerous," he promptly said. "I'm not sure about the Prime Minister, Your Majesty. But this concerns your safety."
Iria thought about it and read the letter once again. She wasn't sure of what to do and the feeling was quite bothering.
"Do you think Prime Minister Dallas report about me to Zaro Aventine?" she asked the Master Enaerion.
"I doubt that, Your Majesty. There is no report of such suspicious activity."
Iria recalled how Zaro Aventine behaved in Vialand and agreed with the Master Enaerion. "That means the Prime Minister still have some faith in me."
She wanted to clear the name of her father and family which was thrown into mud a year ago. Right now, for the Jerivians, she was a traitor. She didn't care about that but... even her father's glorious name was tarnished.
Those people know nothing.
To give her father back his honor, she wanted to declare the truth but... that's not all she wanted. If that's the case, she can just start some rumors. It's simple because rumors spread as fast as wildfires. However, she didn't want to stop at that.
She wasn't that kind anymore.
*
Inside the meeting room in the main palace, Arin was meeting Commander Nico.
Ever since he became the King, the Commander along with Hanson, Prime Minister Casar and the Minister of War were his pillar. They were the ones whom he trusted with his life.
"The spies spot some suspicious movement in Nardodia, Your Majesty," the Commander informed the King. "You should be careful. I think Aryan Tripas is targeting our allies in the east."
"Maybe it's his backup plan," the King remarked. "He knew that he might not be able to convince Zaro Aventine. As Jerivia is one of the biggest and powerful kingdoms in the east, he wants it on his side but if he can't do that, he will switch his aim to another powerful kingdom."
"But Jerivia isn't like the past," Commander Nico said. "I don't know why King Aryan is so obsessed with Jerivia."
"Jerivia is still wealthy enough, Nico," Arin Helev argued. "Did you forget that they defeated and take over Helsia a year ago? All Jerivia need is an effective ruler who can bring out the best from the kingdom."
The King paused and continued, "If Aryan Tripas managed to manipulate Zaro Aventine, it will be very hard for us. But that's what he wants."
That moment, one thing crossed Nico Petrus's mind.
If the Jerivian King ever joined hands with that wicked man who killed his sister, then he won't sit still. No matter what, he will end both of them!
"Arrange someone to keep an eye on them," the King commanded. "Now, convincing Jerivia is the same as convincing Nathania. With Alora joining them, if anything is to happen in secret, we will be in trouble."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
* * *
In the King's chamber in the royal palace of Jerivia, it seemed like the King wasn't having a good time.
"I already said that I'm not interested!" he growled when Minister Rylan was quite persistent, hoping to make him agree to the meeting which Aryan Tripas proposed.
"Your Majesty -"
"Are you blind, Minister Rylan?" Zaro Aventine snapped. "Do you already forget what Aryan Tripas did a year ago? He isn't trustworthy."
When the Minister tried to speak up again, the young Queen who was sitting beside the King quickly chimed in.
"His Majesty is right, Minister Rylan," Queen Athena said in her usual calm voice. "Nardodia cannot be trusted. So, don't bring up this to His Majesty anymore." Shifting her gaze to the Minister who seemed to have many things to say, the Queen commanded, "You can leave."
With that said, the Minister can only leave with reluctance. It's not like he could defy the Queen's order.
"Don't get too worked up," Athena said to Zaro. "He is a Minister and he only did his job."
"How can they expect me to side with the monster who killed my sister?" the King spatted. "What a nonsense!"
"They don't know the truth," Athena explained. "Only the Prime Minister does. That's why."
The Queen held her husband hand that couldn't be still due to anger. "Calm down, Zaro. Aryan Tripas won't get his way. He will pay for what he did."
Zaro Aventine met her gaze. It was always the same - calm. And just like before, he saw her concern for him through her eyes. He might be an ineffective King who once attempted to kill his best friend but... those incidents taught him one lesson.
He should value what he has.
Athena always supported him and he valued her. Seeing the concern in her eyes made him feel the urge to calm down. As such, he shut his eyes and maintained his silence for a while.
"I'm sorry, Athena," he finally said when he opened his eyes again. "I shouldn't get too worked up."
"It's fine," the Queen calmly said. "I understand you."
"Do you want to go hunting tomorrow?" Zaro Aventine asked her. "I still remember that you love hunting."
Athena nodded with a little smile. "Alright.. Let's do that."
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