"I heard that you're leading the war, Your Majesty," Nico Petrus said to the Queen. "If that's the case, my soldiers and I will give our all to assist you." He made a deliberate pause and firmly said, "It's time for the Nardodian King to pay for his crimes."
Iria knew how long Nico Petrus waited to see the downfall of Aryan Tripas. The Commander's patience was praiseworthy. Though it will be hard, he tried his best to keep himself in check as he didn't want sacrifices, just like her. And now...
The time had come.
"You already waited long enough," she said to Nico Petrus when she recalled her late friend. "I bet Iria will be proud of you."
It's been more than a year but the Queen knew very well that her late friend was still the only woman in this Commander's heart. The late Princess was very lucky to meet such a loyal lover though her time in this world was short.
"I'm not sure," Nico Petrus muttered as he narrowed his eyes. "I think I already make her wait for too long."
"Iria hated shedding blood unless it is to protect the people," the Queen said to Commander Nico. "If you shed too much blood just to avenge her, she will never accept it. But this time, we are fighting to protect our kingdom and the people inside. So, she won't blame you."
Nico Petrus maintained his silence for a while before he looked at the Queen. "I'm grateful, Your Majesty. You still think of her even after what happened. I know it won't be easy."
He was talking about what Tobias Aventine and Zaro Aventine did to her and her family and Iria understood that.
"What her father and brother did has nothing to do with Iria," the Queen muttered and turned back to Arin.
How the Princess died crossed her mind and fear surged in her mind.
Iria Aventine died after being in a coma for several weeks. She never regained her consciousness after she was poisoned by Aryan Tripas.
That scheming King was so determined to make Qalagon weak and he knew that if the alliance marriage succeed, it will only strengthen Qalagon and his plan to retrieve the throne will fail.
Just to stop that from happening, he poisoned an innocent Princess!
"Please don't worry too much, Your Majesty," Nico Petrus said to the Queen when he understood what she was thinking. "Iria consumed the poison and that's why it cost her life. His Majesty's case is different and it is already confirmed that it's the same poison. The royal doctor works hard to stop the poison from spreading and he will be fine soon."
"Aryan Tripas is indeed shameless," Iria remarked in a voice that hinted at hatred. "He used the same poison each time as if he wants us to know that it's his doing."
"Maybe he wants us to lose our ability to think clear so that we will be blinded by revenge and hatred, Your Majesty," Nico Petrus opined. "He won't get what he wants."
Though it was hard, all those efforts she put in during the past year paid off for the Queen. As she promised Rion, she had become more patient and less reckless. So... she had no intention to let Aryan Tripas succeed.
That scheming King indeed knew her well but... he didn't know one thing.
That she had changed a lot in a year.
She wasn't that impatient Masked Commander anymore.
"When will Aryan Tripas make a move?" she asked Commander Nico after remaining silent for a while.
"I receive a report that says the troops from Alora and Azamet will arrive at Nardodia in three days. They will still need a few more days as both the troops will also have their own Commander. They will need to have a discussion with Aryan Tripas," the Commander replied.
The Queen nodded. "My brother will soon lead the Alewine Army here and with troops from Zoris, we will be all set soon."
Nico Petrus thought of what the Queen said and asked, "Do you perhaps... plan to strike first, Your Majesty?"
"If a situation is this risky, it's always better to gain the upper hand by playing offence rather than defense," the Queen simply stated. "Let's see how much damage we can do to them before the actual war starts."
Nico Petrus recalled the only time he fought against Iria on a battlefield. It was also the only time he ever lost a war. Though her father was the Commander at that time, Iria practically led the soldiers. And now, after years, he felt like he knew why he lost.
She was always a step ahead of him, be it an action or a plan.
"I already spent a year here, Your Majesty. So, I know a lot about the path and other information about the border. If you want to do anything, I will arrange it for you. My soldiers will be eager to pave an early way."
The Queen nodded at the Commander's suggestion. "You heard about Crown Prince Emor, right?"
"Yes. The spies I sent informed me that he is still missing. Even Aryan Tripas still look for him too and I heard that the Nardodian King is quite anxious by now," Nico Petrus replied.
"Is there any suspicious movement?"
The Commander shook his head. "I think Aryan Tripas is serious. He really suspects His Majesty and he takes it as a chance to attack us."
Staring at Arin, Iria Helev concentrated on her thoughts.
Did someone play a game on them just to trigger a war?
"If Aryan Tripas didn't use this cheap tactic to harm Arin, I might make an effort to clear our name. However, after this, it's not necessary anymore," she muttered with her gaze fixated on her husband. "The soldiers are already eager to avenge their King and no matter who attacks Emor, the war will take place. I won't try to talk sense into that abusive monster."
"We still have some time, Your Majesty," Commander Nico said. "You look tired. Please have some rest.. You will need your energy for the war."
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om