It wasn't long before Hanson Lorin rushed inside the Queen's chamber after hearing the news from Elian. There was a hint of anxiety and rage on his face as he also had an idea of the one behind everything.
Since Arin left the camp after he expressed his desire to retire that day, the General gave a lot of thought on his future. Though he find it hard to continue, he couldn't ignore everything Arin said to him that day. Even if he was in torment, he cannot turn his back on his friend.
Not to mention that Arin Helev was always a great friend!
"Your Majesty!" The General called out when the Queen's back was facing him.
At this, Iria Helev turned around and the first thing Hanson Lorin spotted was the sword in her hand.
"You're here," the Queen muttered in a surprisingly calm voice.
"How is Arin? What will happen to him?" General Hanson promptly asked. When he heard the news from Elian, he was too anxious and he stormed out of the camp before the Vice-Captain of the Royal Guards could even finish.
"He is treated in the Petrus Army camp for now," Iria replied. "The royal doctor is there but if the poison continues to spread, he will be in danger."
Hanson Lorin couldn't even think clear anymore! However, the last time Arin was poisoned instantly crossed his mind.
6 years ago in the annual tournament. It happened while he was having dinner with the people and even at that time, he barely made it.
This time... what if they really reach the worst?!
"Aryan Tripas is preparing to strike us," Iria said, snapping the General out of his thoughts. "After shooting Arin with a poisoned arrow, he wants to use it to his advantage. Maybe he thought that the soldiers will cower in fear without their King."
Putting the sword on the desk, Iria continued, "He isn't alone. Alora and Azamet are backing him."
Fighting Nardodia and Alora will be challenging but not impossible to win. However... Azamet has strong forces. It will be very risky to enter this war!
"A meeting with the officials will start soon," the Queen informed Hanson Lorin. "I want you to attend with me."
"What are you planning to do, Your Majesty?" Hanson Lorin asked.
Why was she so calm in contrast to the situation?!
"I will kill Aryan Tripas and end this," the Queen replied without even hesitating. "Though Emor is missing, I won't crush the whole Nardodia for his sake. I will do anything to kill that scheming King and that will be enough to cut the ties of these three kingdoms who are after us."
"You're not fine yet, Your Majesty," the General argued. "If Arin knows this, he won't like it. You can trust me with the task."
"Vienna will soon give birth," Iria muttered, thinking of her friend. "If anything happens to you, it will be too much for her."
The fact made the General feel the pressure. He knew that the Queen was right but... this wasn't a matter which he could ignore. Instead, he decided to brace himself.
"Do you expect me to sit back while my friend is in such a situation?" he asked. "Arin is sick and as his best friend who once vowed to be a reliable subject to him, I can't just watch while someone is threatening his throne and his kingdom."
"I never expect you to sit back," the Queen clarified. "With Arin's situation, you have to lead the Royal Army and that's a given. However, I won't allow you to put yourself in a dangerous situation."
Hanson Lorin knew why the Queen was so adamant but... he was struggling to accept. However...
There was a sound of knocking on the door and Elian walked inside.
"The officials have arrived, Your Majesty. They are waiting for you."
Hearing this, Iria turned to Hanson Lorin once again. "Come with me. To make a decision, the officials will want to know the exact situation of our army."
"Your Majesty, the Duke and others are still at the pavilion," Elian informed the Queen when she was about to walk out. "What will I say to them?"
Her family. The Queen had completely forgotten about them!
She was so stupefied by the news and with the upcoming war adding pressure to her, nothing else got a place in her mind during the past hour!
"Tell them that I have an important meeting. I will go to them after I meet the officials," she said to Elian who bowed his head.
With that said, Iria and General Hanson left for the court hall.
* * *
Before the Queen arrived there, Prime Minister Casar already explained the situation to the officials who were quite anxious. They didn't have to be told how much the security of the kingdom was dependent on the King's health. As such, the hall was filled with murmur until the Queen appeared.
At the arrival of the Queen, the sound that filled the hall immediately died and all the officials bowed their heads. Settling on the throne, Iria glanced at Prime Minister Casar Mareyi who nodded at her. Hanson Lorin also stood on the right before the officials.
"I see that you all know the situation now," she spoke up as she looked at the officials. "I'm here to listen to what you have to say. You know that the forces of three kingdoms combined are preparing to attack us, taking advantage of the King's situation.
"However, before you say anything, I want you to know this. Though there is no proof, I'm sure that His Majesty is poisoned by the King of Nardodia. I was poisoned in the same way by him once and I'm sure that Aryan Tripas is the one behind the incident this time as well."
"Your Majesty, are you saying that everything is planned by the Nardodian King so that we will struggle even if a war broke out?" one of the higher-ranked officials on the Queen's right asked.
"That's what Aryan Tripas want," Iria replied.
"If that's the case, we should fight against them," the newly appointed Minister of War, Remon Mace spoke up. He looked at the expression on the faces of the officials before he turned to Hanson Lorin.. "General Hanson is here and he will be able to tell us the condition of our forces."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢