Aryan Tripas had returned to Nardodia after his visit to the Azamet Kingdom. Among the soldiers who accompanied him there, there was a spy of Crown Prince Emor.
The Crown Prince just wanted to know everything his uncle did during his visit to the Azamet Kingdom and the spy was currently kneeling before him, reporting about what happened during the King's journey.
"The King of Azamet seems to be interested in forming an alliance with us, Your Highness. He will soon come to Nardodia to discuss the details."
"Azamet was always interested in Qalagon," Emor Tripas said. "Why would the King change his mind?"
"I don't know about that, Your Highness," the soldier replied. "There is also one more thing."
"Go ahead."
"Before we return, His Majesty met the Queen of Qalagon. He heard that the Queen will be passing the Merith Forest and we waited there. The conversation didn't go that well."
His uncle's action made the young Crown Prince feel uneasy.
That's not like his uncle and he was well aware of that.
"What did he say to the Queen?" he asked the soldier.
"His Majesty wanted her to be on his side and he even said that... " The soldier made a deliberate pause and he cautiously looked up at the Crown Prince before he continued, "He also said that he will be glad to have her as his niece-in-law."
Emor Tripas shut his eyes when he heard what the soldier said. "It seems like he still hasn't changed his mind," he muttered. "Is there anything else?" he asked as he opened his eyes.
"No, Your Highness."
"You may leave now."
With that said, the soldier get back on his feet and left right away.
Emor Tripas turned around and took a seat on the couch. Concentrating on his thoughts, his mind was filled with questions.
Above everything else, his uncle's true motive bothered him the most.
What did the King really want?
He could never read him and he hated that.
Soon, Theo walked inside and bowed. "Your Highness, His Majesty want to meet you."
Emor Tripas let out a sigh before he turned to Theo and asked, "Any news on Alena?"
Theo shook his head and the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, feeling somewhat downhearted. "Just where is she?"
"I will send more men to look for her, Your Highness," Theo promptly said.
"It's been a month, Theo. She never disappeared for this long. Even her mother doesn't see her at all. This is not normal," Emor Tripas sighed.
His only friend disappeared without any word and it was quite hard for him to be at ease. He can't help but worry about her.
Theo stood still as he didn't know what to say. He was still struggling to find the woman and seeing how the Crown Prince was desperate to find her wasn't easy for him.
"Continue the search," Emor Tripas spoke up again in a surprisingly calm voice. "You must find her no matter what."
"I understand, Your Highness."
Emor Tripas rose from his seat and finally made his way to his uncle's chamber.
The King was sitting on a couch and he told his nephew to sit on his right which Emor complied.
"How is your journey, uncle? Did everything go well?"
"It went well than I expect," Aryan Tripas replied. His scrutinizing gaze was on Emor the whole time to the point where it made the Crown Prince uneasy.
"What's the matter?" Emor Tripas asked.
The King rested his right elbow on the armrest of the couch and his thumb continuously rubbed his face. "I was wondering how long have you been doing this," he muttered and when he noticed the confusion on Emor's face, he clarified, "I mean, helping Arin Helev."
Emor Tripas always knew that his intelligent uncle will figure about it one day. Despite knowing that, he still did it. He just wanted to follow his conscience for once rather than walking down the path that his uncle laid for him.
"Uncle -"
"At least you still know that I'm your uncle," Aryan Tripas stated but his tone was mocking.
Emor knew right away that he was in trouble.
"Arin Helev is an enemy," Aryan Tripas spatted. "Someone who took our rights away from us once while I'm your biological uncle, the one who made you into who you are today! And you help him to stand against me?!"
"I only want to stop you from committing more sins," Emor Tripas claimed. "I don't want any harm for you or Nardodia. I'm a royal by blood and I also love my kingdom and the people."
"You help Arin Helev and stand in my way all the time, making my plan fail several times!" Aryan Tripas grunted. "Don't you know that everything I do is for you and Nardodia? I want to make our kingdom powerful so that you won't have to struggle once you take over the throne!"
Despite nervously squeezing his clothes, the Crown Prince shook his head. "You don't care about the people's suffering and only think of a way to satisfy your greed and desires, uncle. Don't try to justify it."
The King was appalled! He couldn't believe what his nephew just said to him!
"Emor! Are you crazy?! How could you say that?" The Crown Prince's defiant gaze shocked him even more but... soon, it was replaced by anger. "You will regret saying that," he stated, sternly.
"Uncle, please... why must you do this? Why don't you seek peace rather than -"
"Peace?" Aryan Tripas scoffed. "Don't you know that it's already too late? Not just Qalagon but Jerivia and Cedore also wish to see me fall. After all those things, do you really think that the King and Queen of Qalagon will want peace with me?"
Shaking his head, the King continued, "No. They want me dead. There is no turning back now."
Staring at his nephew who had become very quiet, Aryan Tripas said, "Do you know how foolish you are? You help Arin Helev but do you think he will hesitate if he has the chance to end me?
"Tell me, Emor. Do you think he will miss the chance for your sake?"
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