When the war that took place 4 years ago crossed his mind, Arin Helev shut his eyes. Though he used to be wary of this, he never thought that it will really happen and... that the Minister of War will be willing to take it this far.
"My father is always loyal to the throne and the kingdom, Your Majesty," Hanson Lorin spoke up. "You know everything that happened is because of a personal resentment towards the Queen.
"My father and I commits a crime and we deserve to be punished. I will accept everything, Arin. I will do whatever you want me to do."
*
When Arin Helev walked back to his chamber, he felt too weak and at one point, it even felt like his knees were about to give away! He pressed his hand to the wall to support himself and tried to clear his mind a bit before entering.. He remained that way for a few seconds and finally walked inside the chamber.
"You're already back?" Iria promptly asked when she saw him.
Though he had tried his best, he noticed how she already figure out that something's wrong. All she need was one observing gaze and that happened right now.
"What's wrong, Arin?" she asked as she walked towards him. She held his hand and led him to the couch. He sat down and she sat beside him.
"You return so early and you don't look well," she pointed out in a calm voice and asked, "What happened?"
The King quietly sat still for a while as his conversation with Hanson crossed his mind. Then he finally turned to Iria. "Do you still remember the war you fought against Qalagon 4 years ago?" he asked her.
She wasn't expecting that. Not at all. However, the war in question crossed her mind right away and she nodded. "It's the second war I fought after I took over my father's place. I still remember."
She was a bit confused and Arin knew that. However, just like he want her to be honest with him, he wanted to do the same. Even if he didn't say it now, she will still find out later.
"We lost 2 Generals in that war," he said to her in a low voice. "And one was the eldest son of the Minister of War. Hanson's older brother."
The moment he finished talking, all the confusion in her face was gone. She now understood where this conversation was going. She slowly turned away when one fact crossed her mind.
Anyone holding the rank of a General was always capable enough and mere soldiers weren't skilled enough to take them down. So, every time her army fought a war, she was always the one who take down the Generals of the opposing sides. That means...
The one who killed the son of the Minister of War was her.
"You won that war after taking down 2 Generals," Arin spoke up again. "The soldiers and the Generals who survived witnessed how he died and it also reach the ears of the Minister of War."
Arin didn't participate in that war but he also heard what happened. He still remembered how devastated Dilan Lorin was when he lost his son.
'The Masked Commander's sword stabbed him in the heart.'
That's what the surviving soldiers responded to the Minister when he questioned them on his son's death.
"Where is General Hanson?" Iria finally spoke up but it wasn't the question that Arin expected.
"I sent him back," he replied. "I want to talk with you before I make a decision." He made a deliberate pause and said, "The Minister of War is the one behind that assassination attempt and Hanson was the one who sent that letter to me. Those missing cases are his way of luring you and according to Hanson, the children are fine."
The Queen thought of what Arin just said and one thing instantly crossed her mind. Then she turned to her husband. "Can you let me take care of this matter?"
"That's -"
"Please, Arin... let me handle this case." She met his gaze and asked, "Don't you trust me?"
He stared at her for a few seconds and slowly, his troubled expression was gone. Then he finally nodded. "Alright. I trust you."
Iria flashed a small, unconvincing smile. Then she briefly thought about it and said, "I have to meet the Minister and General Hanson."
* * *
Minister of War Dilan Lorin was making his way to the meeting room in the palace. He was told that the King wanted to see him and he came right away without thinking much.
When he entered the room, he was surprised to see that the King wasn't there. The one who was sitting was the Queen and her personal guard, Elian was also standing a few steps behind her.
The confused Minister reluctantly bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Please have a seat, Minister," the Queen said, gesturing him to take a seat on a chair in her right.
Still confused, the Minister of War walked forward and took a seat. He glanced at the Queen who was pretty calm and it only added more to the puzzle in his head.
"May I ask what is this about, Your Majesty?" the Minister of War asked the Queen. He couldn't hide his confusion or curiosity anymore and briefly glancing around the meeting room, he asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
"His Majesty will be a bit late," Iria said, observing the expression of the Minister. "He asks me to be here for a while as he feels bad for making you wait."
"He doesn't have to," Dilan Lorin quickly said. "He is the King and it's only right that I'm the one waiting for him."
"I'm glad," Iria Helev muttered with a little smile. "The King is still young but he has many devoted and trustworthy officials by his side. That put me at ease."
"His Majesty is the best ruler we could ever ask for, Your Majesty," the Minister stated. "He deserves every devotion he receives from us."
"Then can I ask you a question?"
Dilan Lorin barely refrained from blinking. "You don't have to be so formal, Your Majesty. You have every right to ask me a question."
"I know that you are a capable official whose love for the kingdom is unrivalled," Iria stated, her gaze still fixated on the Minister of War. Then she continued, "If one day, you have to choose between Qalagon and your personal matter, what will your decision be?"
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