During the daily court meeting, the officials finally learned the reason why two corpses were hanged near the main gate of the palace. Everyone took the matter seriously as an assassination attempt against the Queen could never be a trivial matter.
After the meeting, the King talked with the Prime Minister and Minister of War. He wanted to seek their advice on the matter.
"No matter what, we should solve this case, Your Majesty," Prime Minister Casar said to the King. "Fortunately, Her Majesty survived and that means the plan of the enemy failed. I'm sure that they won't just give up."
"I agree with that," Minister of War, Dilan Lorin said. "His Majesty said that it's connected with the missing cases. This matter should be our priority."
"The assassins are quite loyal to their master.. They're skilled and tough too," Arin Helev spoke up. "This is a well-planned move and somehow, I doubt that it's the doing of someone from outside Qalagon. Jerivia and Nardodia can be the suspect but... I doubt that."
"I will work with the Chief of the Investigating Bureau to investigate this matter, Your Majesty," Dilan Lorin said. "We should also search the capital to see if there is any suspicious place that would house the assassins."
Arin Helev nodded. The letter he received briefly crossed his mind but he decided to look for the sender in secret. It might be more effective that way.
*
While the King was having a meeting, Iria heard of what happened to the bodies of the two assassins.
Though she personally heard it through Elian, she finds it hard to believe it. That's what they used to do to the corpses of someone who commit treason, someone who made a move to usurp the throne and not to assassins who were merely ordered by someone above them.
"Antony and a few guards will keep an eye on the bodies and observe the spectators in case the allies of the dead assassins showed up," Elian explained to the Queen.
"How long are the bodies hanged now?" Iria inquired.
"Since morning."
That means the bodies were already hanged even when he had breakfast with her.
Once again, Iria was reminded of just how cruel her husband could be. She rarely witnessed this cruel side of him but... whenever it happened, it's because of her.
"Elian, do you still remember the faces of those men who talked about the abandoned house yesterday?"
The Vice-Captain of the Royal Guards thought about it and nodded. "I remember."
"Find them. We might be able to track down the source of those rumors through that," the Queen ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Iria Helev recalled the assassination attempt from yesterday.
The assassins knew that her weakness was her right shoulder and they aimed at just that to take her down. Something's amiss and it made her uneasy.
She doubted that it would be the doctor who revealed her illness. Then... who might it be?!
"During yesterday's fight, I noticed that the assassins knew my illness. No matter how much I thought about it, the doctor's clinic is the only one where such information could leak. So, I want you to seek the doctor's help and find out the hole. Be careful, Elian. Don't trust anyone else."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
With that said, Elian bowed and left to comply with the orders.
Iria sat still, thinking of what Elian told her. Somehow, Arin's action still bothered her. She was well aware of how one cruel act could lead to another act even worse than before.
Zaro Aventine was one example and she didn't want Arin to become like him.
Soon, the door of the chamber was opened and Arin walked inside.
"Did I take long? I'm sorry. I chat with the Prime Minister and Minister of War after the court meeting and it took me longer than I thought." He sat beside her and looked at her with an apologetic smile.
Staring at his face, Iria recalled what he did. That cruel act didn't suit him at all.
"Arin," she muttered and he nodded. "Do you really have to do that?"
She noticed the confusion on his face. "What do you mean?"
"The two bodies hanged near the main gate," she explained. "They're already dead and they only followed the order of someone."
"I have to take precautions, Iria," he responded in a calm voice. "I have to warn anyone who tries to make a move against you."
"The people admired you for your kindness," Iria stated. "What will they think when they see the bodies, Your Majesty? Those two might be assassins but they are still your people."
She held his hand and met his gaze. "Don't let hatred blind you, Arin. I know it's hard but if I let that hatred defeated me a year ago, I will already be a completely different person. You and I know very well that it doesn't take much for one to change."
"Iria -"
"I prefer the version of you when you're with me. I don't want you to change," she promptly said, not giving him a chance to talk.
Arin Helev remained quiet for a while before he let out a breath. "Alright. I understand what you said." He narrowed his eyes at her hand which held his. With a little smile, he lifted her hand and planted a kiss. "These days, I always apologize. It makes me realize that things will be hard for you."
"Hard times are supposed to be there but happy days still exceed those days, right?" Iria asked with a little smile and narrowed her eyes at her right shoulder. "I thought that my world was over when I heard how serious it has become but... I think I'm fine now.
"I'll try my best to recover and even if I fail, I still have you," she added. "You can protect me and you'll be my right hand."
"For me to do that, you should learn to be less stubborn first," Arin sighed. "No sneaking out anymore and even if you wish to go out, you can bring some guards and if I have time, I'll accompany you. The Enaerions can also watch over you."
Iria gave a quick thought and nodded. "Let's do that. Who knows, it might not be bad as I thought to be."
It would be surely better than having to endure that cold treatment again.....
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