Arin Helev was back in his chamber when he recalled what Iria told him yesterday. His wife said that Aryan Tripas realized how Emor used to help him.
The Nardodian King was never a fool and Arin always knew that he will come to know it one day but... he didn't expect the King to not do anything.
Aryan Tripas could really tolerate such an act?
It seemed like even someone like him had a soft spot for his nephew, his only blood-related family.
While the King was lost in his thoughts, Iria walked inside and sat beside him on the couch.
"You're done?" he said to her with a little smile. "Did Morin show some improvements?"
Iria nodded. "He's doing great than I thought."
"Maybe he take after me," Arin pointed out with a proud smile. "I'm a fast learner."
The Queen sighed at his claim. "You never miss a chance to praise yourself, don't you?"
"I'm only stating the fact," Arin shrugged. "It runs in the family."
Iria simply nodded yet her expression proved how unconvinced she was. Arin Helev smiled when he saw this.
"You never take me seriously," he complained yet there was still a smile on his face.
The Queen chuckled and asked, "How is Emor?"
"I think he will recover earlier than expected," the King replied. "Just like the doctor said, he has a strong fighting spirit."
Iria Helev nodded as she knew that Emor Tripas was someone who was forced to fight all his life. Not to mention that his endurance rate will be higher than anyone else!
* * *
Crown Prince Andres and Crown Princess Ophelia along with Orius and Valerie were already at Helsia.
Before they agree to come along, Andres and Orius made sure to tell the nature of the trip to the two women. Nevertheless, they agree to come along. Ophelia was even excited which surprised Andres once again.
His wife was unique for sure!
Right now, the couples were at the Slumber Inn in the capital. They reached the capital in the evening and after staying indoors till sunset, the two men tried to go out for some business.
"Isn't it more dangerous to go out now?" Valerie asked her husband who was all set to leave.
"It's more unsafe during the day," Orius replied. "As you know, Zaro Aventine is here and he knows my face too well. If he happens to spot me, everything will be over."
"He knows my face too," Andres Francia chimed in. "We met at Vialand."
"Then what about you, Your Highness?" Valerie asked the Crown Princess who was standing beside her.
"I saw him at Vialand but I don't think he will know my face. We don't even talk once," Ophelia simply replied.
"You should still be careful," Andres said to her. "Make sure to stay here with Valerie. The guards will be on duty and we will be back soon."
Ophelia nodded. "Alright."
With that said, Andres and Orius left the inn with Zane and some other guards.
"Is everything arranged?" Crown Prince Andres asked Zane while they were on their way.
"Yes, Your Highness," Zane responded. "I also receive a report. The ex-officials already gathered. Only two refused to come."
"That's good enough," the Crown Prince remarked. "Keep an eye on the remaining two. If they try to make any move against us, you should shut their mouths."
"I understand."
Orius was on Andres's right and he listened to all the conversation yet... he simply maintained a calm demeanor. The meeting with the ex-officials of Helsia which was scheduled for that night was the only thing that occupied his mind. For their plan to work out, they have to succeed tonight no matter what.
Around half an hour had passed when they reached their destination - an abandoned mansion.
From what they heard, it used to belong to one of those officials who were captured and locked up in prison. The meeting will be held there and the guards from Cedore already secured the place.
Zane led them to the place where the ex-officials gathered and even before they reached there, they already heard the voices of the ex-officials. It seemed like they were complaining about waiting the Crown Prince's arrival for almost an hour.
As such, even when Andres and Orius's arrived, many of the ex-officials greeted them with sour faces.
"Are you the Crown Prince of Cedore?" one ex-official who sat on the front row in the right promptly asked Andres. "What kind of meeting is this? We are forced to wait you for almost an hour!"
"Forced?" Andres Francia asked with a little smirk and looked at the guards. "Did you stop anyone from leaving? Or did you force them to wait here?"
"No, Your Highness," one of the guards responded with his head bowed. "None of them attempt to leave."
"Then why did he say that they are forced?" the Crown Prince inquired.
"I have no idea, Your Highness."
The ex-official who complained was now clearing his throat and he eventually turned away as he struggled for words to say.
"Let's make it clear," Andres Francia said in a loud voice. "I don't force anyone to come here and I don't force anyone to wait either. You come here on your own will after receiving my invitation and even before I arrive here, you are still free to leave but you don't do that. So, don't try to make it sound like I'm the one who forced you."
Hearing this, everyone maintained their silence while there was a subtle smile on Orius's lips. He knew what his cousin was doing.
He was trying to make them accept that they were the ones in need and that he was the one to control the situation.
The first step was always the most crucial and as expected of a future Emperor, Andres excelled at that.
Maybe things worked out well, one of the ex-officials quickly rose from his seat once Andres finished talking. "Please understand my friend, Your Highness. We are in a critical situation these days and maybe that get to his head. Besides, we can't wait to know why you invite us here."
The Crown Prince of an empire as powerful as Cedore wanted to meet them in secret and everyone there knew the bad blood between Cedore and Jerivia. Though the two nations were always enemies, what happened a year ago make things worse and everyone knew that.
Maybe that gave them some hope.
What did the Crown Prince of Cedore want from them?
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