"Don't you promise to become a reliable friend and subject for me once I become the King?" Arin Helev said to his friend who kept his gaze lowered the whole time. "That's what you promised me while we were young."
"Everything was fine back then," Hanson Lorin argued. "My family was one of the most loyal supporters of the throne. But now, things have changed, Your Majesty. You already went out of your way to spare my father. If others know about it, it will only become harder for you."
"I only follow my heart like I always did," the young King firmly stated. "If you were me, I know that you will do the same."
"Arin -"
"You know my dream, Hanson," Arin Helev promptly said before his friend could say anything. "I want to work to achieve that. I have many enemies around me and I have to be alert all the time. You know I can't handle everything on my own."
"There are many other Generals who are capable enough to look after the army."
"But I can't trust them as I trust you," the King insisted. "Don't you know that in this whole kingdom, you're the only one whom I can trust with my eyes closed? How can you think of leaving my side?!"
"Please Arin -"
"I won't listen to you," Arin Helev firmly said and rose from his seat. Seeing this, Hanson Lorin promptly stood up too. "I don't want to hear this again. So, come to see me only if you changed your mind."
With that said, the young King stormed out of the tent and immediately left the camp too.
He knew that it was selfish of him to hold on to his friend who said that it's suffocating to live this way. However... he can't give up on his friend who has so many capabilities. He won't allow him to ruin his life just because of his father's wrongdoing.
* * *
It was afternoon when Iria arrived in the Lorin family mansion. As the Minister of War and his wife had already left the capital, the mansion appeared quiet than usual. Not to mention that it had been a while since Iria last came here.
Lady Vienna was pregnant and she will give birth soon. That's why it wasn't appropriate for her to move around much, let alone leave the mansion. So, the Queen was there to meet her friend.
Iria was also restricted a lot by her shoulder. So, it had been a while since she last meet Lady Vienna.
A servant escorted the Queen to Lady Vienna's chamber and in no time, Iria finds herself sitting opposite her friend. She was quite worried about the lady because of all the things that happened in the family while she was pregnant. However, Vienna Lorin greeted her with a smile like always.
"I don't expect you to come here, Your Majesty. You're not that fine yourself," Lady Vienna said to Iria. Due to the crime committed by her father-in-law, she and Hanson ended up knowing the Queen's illness.
"It's been so long," Iria Helev muttered with a smile. "I want to see you." She briefly observed the lady and asked, "How are you these days?"
Lady Vienna narrowed her eyes at her belly that had grown quite big now and smiled as she touched it. "I'm fine." She glanced around and said, "The mansion is very quiet these days but the baby gives me a lot of happiness."
"I should have come often," the Queen said. "You must be lonely."
"I know your condition, Your Majesty. I'm glad enough that you still want to come here." Vienna Lorin narrowed her eyes and muttered, "It won't be easy."
Iria quietly glanced at her friend who had lost a huge part of her carefree nature. Though it wasn't surprising, it still hurt her. "No matter what happens, it's not your fault. You're still a friend to me," she said, hoping to give her some assurance.
Vienna Lorin only smiled and narrowed her eyes.
"How is General Hanson these days?" Iria promptly asked.
Lady Vienna maintained her silence for a few seconds before she said, "He's not fine." She made a deliberate paused and continued, "What his father did took a huge blow on him. You know, the Lorin's were always loyal to the throne from the time of their ancestors. He regarded what happened as a huge shame and I understand him. I know that he is right too."
Pressing her fingers together, Vienna Lorin glanced at the floor for a few seconds and then looked at the Queen again. "He always tries to act fine around me. He never knows that I see through him."
Iria had often heard about Hanson from Arin and what she heard from Vienna wasn't unexpected. However, she wasn't sure of what to do.
"Arin said that he will be meeting Hanson today," she said to Lady Vienna. "I don't know if it will go well but Arin is highly concerned about him."
Vienna nodded. "I really hope things will work out," she muttered. "Hanson is someone who highly valued justice and he is strict with his principles too. That's why it's so hard for him. Besides, his father's life is spared despite committing a huge crime.
"He strongly believed that he's the one who tied the King's hands. That feeling is too much for him to handle."
Iria gave a brief thought and held Vienna's hand. "Don't worry. No matter what, I believe that Arin won't give up on Hanson. They are best friends since they were children and there's no way for him to easily give up."
Vienna Lorin nodded with a smile. "I trust in the King. I've known him since we were young and he's always different from others." Her smile slipped a bit when he said, "I'm Hanson's wife but there's nothing I can do for him. I feel too ashamed because of that."
"Don't say that. Everything will be fine," Iria assured her. "Hanson will soon become himself again.. Let's trust in their friendship."
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