After dinner, Iria was alone in the chamber when Athena came to her. Though Iria wasn't that comfortable to have the Queen of Jerivia around, she also accepted it for the sake of Morin.
"Can we chat for a while?" the Jerivian Queen asked to which Iria nodded. Then Athena took a seat on the couch opposite Iria.
For the next few seconds, the chamber was very quiet as none of them spoke up.
It wasn't easy.
For Iria, Athena was the wife of her enemy and for the Jerivian Queen, Iria was someone who still occupied a place in her husband's heart.
What an ill-fated relationship!
"Did Zaro Aventine know that you're here?" Iria finally asked and broke the silence.
Athena shook her head. "I don't think he will know it."
"What if this gets you in trouble?" the Qalagon Queen asked again.
"I will be fine," Athena responded in her usual calm voice. "I don't think it's a crime to come here while all I will do is see my cousin and aunt. It's not like I'm a spy. You know, I'm not skilled as you."
Her mindset was simple and it surprised Iria. Then she instantly realized one thing.
That someone like Athena will have a hard time dealing with Zaro Aventine.
Did she even know what she was doing?
Despite the thoughts that crossed her mind, Iria didn't say anything.
It wasn't her place to say and she knew that.
"Do you still loath my husband?" Athena suddenly asked her.
The Qalagon Queen was taken aback by the question. She wasn't expecting that!
"I hope everything would end," Athena continued in a low voice.
Iria was stunned!
What happened to the confident Princess of Nathania whom she used to know?!
She sounded like a completely different person right now!
"I don't really get what you say, Queen Athena," Iria finally spoke up. "You should know that the relationship between two kingdoms cannot be easily mended."
"Arin loves you a lot," Athena Aventine argued. "He will listen to you, Your Majesty." She paused and muttered, "I have a feeling that the outcome won't be good if this keeps on going. It's becoming harder and harder to understand Zaro these days."
Iria stared at the Jerivian Queen for a while before she said, "You don't know Zaro Aventine well. You will only get hurt in the end. If I were you, I will already maintain my distance from him."
Athena shook her head. "Then tell me, Your Majesty. Will you just leave Arin if he ever changes? Or will you stay to help him so that he won't become worse?"
"We are different," the Qalagon Queen replied. "Zaro Aventine doesn't love you. Don't you know that he became a completely different man once he is blinded by rage?" With a sigh, she added, "Don't destroy your life. You deserve better."
Athena was too good for Zaro Aventine and Iria knew that.
That monster wasn't worthy of a kind woman like Athena who loved him more than anyone else.
Will he even know how to appreciate Athena?
Iria highly doubted that.
"Do you know this?" Iria said and continued, "Even if I don't do anything, he won't be still. Trust me. I know him better than anyone."
Hearing this, Athena narrowed her eyes. She knew that Iria was right. She knew it, but... it wasn't easy to accept.
Silence fell upon the chamber for a while until Arin walked inside. The young King seemed to be surprised when he saw Athena in the chamber. However, he didn't say anything and sat beside Iria.
"It's getting late. I won't take your time anymore," Athena suddenly said and rose from her seat. Slightly raising a brow, Iria followed suit. However, the Jerivian Queen nodded and walked out of the chamber in a hurry.
Still standing, Iria stared at the empty door.
What made Athena behave like that? She really wished to know.
"What did you discuss with her?"
The Queen narrowed her eyes at her husband when she heard his question. Then she sat down again. "She wishes to mend the relationship between our two kingdoms. She also said that it's hard to understand her husband these days."
She turned to her husband and asked, "Putting aside the facts that she is the Princess of Nathania and the Queen of Jerivia, what do you think of her? I mean, what kind of person is she?"
Arin Helev thought about it and said, "The people of Nathania admires her a lot because of her kind heart. She treats everyone equally and unlike the princesses of other kingdoms, she is quite skilled in using all types of weapons. She insisted to train ever since she was young."
He paused and continued, "You might not believe this but if she is to inherit the throne of Nathania, she will make a better ruler than the current Crown Prince, who is her younger brother."
"The Crown Prince is only 14," Iria argued. "How could you say that?"
"Being exceptional cannot be gained suddenly, Iria," Arin replied with a sigh. "I've met the young Crown Prince several times. He is quite a weakling."
Somehow, Iria finds his description funny. "Weakling? That's too cruel."
"I'm only telling the truth," Arin Helev shrugged. When he recalled how the King of Nathania broke their alliance right after he became the King, his face turned a bit darkened. "If it's not for Morin, I will already teach Nathania a lesson. However, my patience also has limits.
"The relationship between Nathania and Jerivia is going strong and if anything happens, I won't hesitate either. Even if it hurt Morin, I'm sure that he will understand me once he grew up."
"Are you talking about yourself?" Iria promptly asked him.
Arin looked at her and with a little smile, he nodded. "Though it's still hard, I slowly understand my father. I now understand why he made that decision but... it doesn't mean that I agree with him. No matter what, I will make sure to protect you. Just know that."
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