The expression on Orius's face changed completely when he heard what Arin just told him. "What do you mean?" he asked. "What injury?"
"That injury from the Serene Valley," Arin Helev clarified with a bit of reluctance. "She was shot just below her shoulder that day and it caused a tear. She didn't want us to know and I also learned recently."
Last night, Iria asked him to inform her brother for her and reassure him. If she tell him herself, she didn't know if she will be able to handle Orius's reaction.
She knew how much she meant to him and... the news will hurt him a lot.
When Orius tried to stand up to rush to Iria, Arin held him back. "Iria asked me to tell you this. She is afraid that you will be too pained by this and she doesn't know if she will be able to take it."
He briefly paused and said, "I know it's hard, Orius. I felt the same anger and concern when I find out but... I realized that she is the one having the hardest time. Please compose yourself for her sake. Iria loves you a lot and she didn't want to see you in pain because of her."
"It's been a year, Arin!" Orius snapped. "How can I know nothing about this? She stayed with me and even trained with the soldiers. She never showed any pain."
Orius knew that ever since they went to Cedore, she didn't train much compared to before. However, he just thought that it was because she was busy helping out their uncle but...
She can't perform physical activities that much anymore?
How will a warrior like her accept that?!
"The doctor said that if she rests well, she might be able to use it like before but the process will be a bit slow. Now, she just has to focus on not worsening the tear," Arin said to Orius in an assuring tone and added, "She doesn't lose hope. You're her brother, so don't lose it either."
Slowly, Orius sat back on the ground but his fists were tightly clenched. "She still struggles to move on from that day. Now with such an illness, how will she ever move on? It will be a constant reminder for her."
"That's why I'm worried," Arin muttered. "She's my wife but I know that a part of her is still shut from me. Her heart that shattered that day is not easy to put together again, Orius.
"But don't worry. I will never give up. Even if it takes years, I will make sure that she is completely healed, both physically and mentally."
Orius nodded despite still struggling to keep himself in check.
His hatred for Zaro Aventine was growing stronger than ever and right now, he won't mind even if he eliminate the whole Jerivia and everyone there. He made a mental note to push forward the training so that he could make a move soon.
Even if it needs sacrifice, he promised that he won't hesitate anymore.
A few minutes passed and Orius believed that he will be able to meet Iria now. As such, he went to his chamber and Arin sent Iria there while he stayed behind with Lady Valerie.
Knowing what was waiting for her, Iria made her way to her brother's chamber. She knew that it was selfish of her to ask Arin to do that but... after seeing Andres's expression that day, she wasn't confident.
It even made her wondered how weak this injury had turned her.
Or was it since that day? The day when she lost a part of herself?
Finally, she walked inside Orius's chamber and saw him standing near the window. The young Duke knew her presence and he tried to turn around, but...
She hugged him from behind. No... she was practically clinging onto him.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "We rarely see each other but I have to come to tell you such news. Please forgive me, brother."
When he felt her pressed the side of her head against his back, Orius Alewine shut his eyes. She always knows how to calm him down.
Even now, he finds her comforting.
Shouldn't he be the one consoling her? Why was it the other way round?
Even before she knew his real identity, his whole life revolved around her. All those years, she was his only reason for living and she was well aware of how much even the slightest thing affected him when it comes to her.
That's why she knew very well that he need to be comforted much more than she did.
"Everything will be fine, Orius," she calmly muttered, still clinging onto him. "I will recover and we will avenge ourselves together. Don't worry. We will reclaim the honor of our father and our Alewine family. Please believe me."
Orius Alewine finally turned around and took a look at her. "It's fine, Iria. Even if you don't recover, I will do everything. The honor of our father and our family name that was thrown into mud by those false accusations... I will make sure to take back everything."
He caressed her hair with a little smile. "I'm your older brother. Just trust me."
Whenever he said 'older', Iria was reminded of the past. "I think you just want to remind me that I'm younger. It's just a few minutes, Orius," she sighed and he chuckled.
"Before you know my identity, you said that I'm younger by a week. I can't forget that no matter how much I tried," Orius pointed out with a smile on his face.
Even he was surprised by how just a small joke of hers changed his whole mood. He was worried but he loved to see her smile and be happy.
Maybe what people often said was right. His sister was really his world. It must be the effect of their complicated past.
"Let's go out. Valerie and Arin will be waiting," Iria said to him with a frown. She had already stopped arguing with him about 'who is the younger.' It's useless.....
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