All attention was on General Hanson while the latter's gaze was on the Queen who nodded at him. Taking this as an approval, he turned towards the officials.
"Though nothing is certain in a war, we are always prepared to fight if necessary," he started. "The war with Alora more than a year ago was the last big war we fought. So, we are in a good situation even if a war is to happen. The Royal Army is fit to fight and so is the Petrus Army in the northern border.
"In case of emergency, we can also summon the Aliron Army and the Echilot Army. The south and east border are peaceful, so there won't be a problem for them. King Vance of Zoris is also open to us anytime. So, as the one in charge of the Royal Army, I dare to say that we stand a chance to fight the forces of these three kingdoms combined."
"Is there a chance for Jerivia to take Aryan Tripas's side too?" one official asked the General. "We have to think of all possibilities before we enter a war."
"Jerivia will be busy dealing with its own problem," the Queen chimed in. "Even now, the King of Jerivia is already busy dealing with internal conflicts. Not to mention that he refused Aryan Tripas many times."
Several officials nodded their heads as they believed that the Queen had a point. Despite the latter's past in Jerivia, many never doubted her and only a few did. Though the officials knew her identity, they looked upon her as the Princess of Cedore who married their King and not the former Masked Commander. They accepted that Jerivia was now an enemy to her.
"What if the Jerivian King happen to change his mind, Your Majesty?" one of the officials on the left asked with a hint of doubt in his voice. Iria immediately knew that he was one of the very few officials who were wary of her.
For a few seconds, the hall fell silent and all attention was on the young Queen who had her eyes on the official who asked her the question.
Why didn't she say anything?
Finally, the Queen spoke up but...
"If you ask me that question because of your doubt in me, then I don't have to give you an answer. However... " She made a deliberate paused and gave a quick thought. "If you ask because of your concern for the kingdom, then I will tell you this. If Zaro Aventine changed his mind and ever took the side of Aryan Tripas, I will kill him with my own hands. No... I'll kill them both."
If any other women were to say this, the officials will just laugh but... that can't be the case now as they all knew her past.
She was the Masked Commander who used to command the powerful Alewine Army. She was a warrior who had never lost a war!
Though the officials didn't know her illness, Prime Minister Casar Mareyi knew. However, he didn't doubt the Queen's words despite knowing that.
If there was a will, there was a way. The former Commander was always a fighter. If she set her mind to it, then she can do anything.
When silence occupied the hall again, the Queen shifted her attention to General Hanson. "You don't mention Cedore," she pointed out. "Soldiers of the Alewine Army will be eager to fight the Nardodians and the Jerivians in case Zaro Aventine join the war."
The soldiers were still loyal to her and she knew that. They knew how the Nardodian King was the one who poisoned her and they also saw how the Jerivian King killed Rion with his arrow. They still thirst for revenge on those two incidents.
"Fortunately, my brother is here and Crown Prince Andres Francia is also here. So, everything will be fine with Cedore," the Queen added to ease the officials and it indeed worked.
"Do you perhaps... plan to lead the war, Your Majesty?" the Minister of War asked the Queen with a hint of curiosity.
They knew how the Queen refrain a lot from getting involved in military affairs and judging from the protective nature of their King, they never expect to see the Masked Commander fighting a war for Qalagon!
"With His Majesty's situation, someone has to step up to maintain the morale of the soldiers," Iria replied. "And I will be the one to do that. I will lead the soldiers and make sure to end the King of Nardodia so that he will never be able to threaten our Qalagon again."
The Queen was a bit taken aback by what she saw on the faces of the officials.
Relief.
That's what she saw.
Just a while ago, Hanson Lorin declared that nothing was certain but...
Did they trust in her that much?
She was expecting them to doubt her but it seemed like she was wrong.
"We trust in you, Your Majesty," the Prime Minister said to her. "His Majesty is in a serious condition and we need someone to hold the kingdom together. We're glad that you are willing to be that person."
The King always took her side no matter what the officials said and even the Prime Minister who was his former teacher used to be surprised by it. But now, he understood.
The King and the Queen might appear quite different from each other but they had the same feelings. They both loved Qalagon a lot and put the kingdom before themselves.
Even now, the young Queen was willing to put aside her illness and pick up her sword to protect the kingdom.
With the officials supporting her, relief washed through Iria despite Arin's serious condition.
Now, she only has to mobilize the army and make a few orders. Then she will be able to go to the northern border where Arin was fighting for his life.
'Please wait for just a while,' she thought to herself while sitting on the throne.. 'I'll be there soon.'
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