Despite Commander Nico's advice, Iria still sat on the chair beside the bed where Arin slept. With her gaze on her husband, the Queen was once again filled with anxiety.
Arin was in a coma for a little over a week now. That alone was enough to scare her.
What if he really suffers the same fate as Princess Iria?
When many different thoughts crossed the Queen's mind, General Hanson walked inside the tent.
"You came," Iria muttered when she shifted her gaze to the entrance.
Hanson Lorin nodded and standing a few steps away, he stared at his best friend who was lying on the bed.
The scene was so strange for the General. Maybe because his friend was always strong, he wasn't used to seeing him in such a vulnerable situation. As a result, he stood still at his place, having no idea of what to do.
"Why don't you come closer?" Iria said to the General and pulled another chair closer to the bed for him.
Hearing this, Hanson walked closer and sat on the chair beside the Queen.
For a few seconds, all Hanson Lorin did was stare at his friend. Then he narrowed his eyes. "How can this happen? Arin is always careful."
"He didn't even have time to prepare when he left," Iria replied. "He heard about Crown Prince Emor and rushed here with the doctor and a few guards. We didn't expect someone to stand between us and Aryan Tripas. We also underestimate Aryan Tripas. There's nothing he would hesitate to do."
General Hanson continued staring at his friend once again. As anger rushed through him, he had to squeeze his clothes to keep himself in check. Finally, he rose from his seat. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will make sure that the enemies don't get what they want. By the time the war ends, Aryan Tripas won't be in this world anymore."
With that said, he bowed his head and walked out of the tent.
Watching the General until he was out of her sight, Iria turned to her husband. "You have a great friend, Arin. You told me that you want to save your friendship and now, your wish has come true. You will be very happy once you wake up."
* * *
Two more days passed and Emperor Kalos heard the news from his son and nephew. Just like the Crown Prince predicted, his father was adamant in sending a huge force to aid Iria.
As the situation in Cedore was quite peaceful right now, they were in a good situation. Not to mention that the alliance marriage with Aederin made them more powerful than before. Anyone who wanted to come after them have to think not just twice but thrice!
"Orius will lead the Alewine Army like always," Kalos Francia said and turned to his son. "You should lead the Royal Army. Even with the two huge forces gone, we still have enough forces to keep the empire safe."
"What about the officials?" Orius asked.
"Consider it done. You know how our empire treasured our alliance with Qalagon. No one will object to aiding them," the Emperor promptly replied.
"If that's the case, then I have something I want to do," Andres Francia said to his father.
"What is that?"
There was a little smirk on the Crown Prince's lips when he responded, "I will tell you later. It's a good plan but I have to see if it will work or not."
The Emperor nodded and said, "Fine, but you also have one more thing to worry about."
When he had the full attention of his son, Emperor Kalos said, "Crown Prince Augustus is on his way to our empire. He will arrive in the afternoon."
The calm expression of Andres was slowly replaced by a troubled one.
It seemed like the Aederin Crown Prince already heard the news from the shadow guards!
Not to mention that his parents still don't know anything!
He was in real trouble.
"Your expression tells me that you did something, Andres," the Emperor pointed out. "Why is Crown Prince Augustus suddenly coming here? What happened?"
Andres briefly glanced at Orius who exchanged his glance before he shook his head. "I don't know."
The Emperor observed his son and said, "Do you know what's strange? The Jerivian King is facing quite a trouble, all while you were on your hunting trip." He glanced back and forth at his son and nephew when he continued, "Odd enough, you came home empty-handed despite being gone for days. This is the first."
The cousins just realized that they forget to buy some wild animals from hunters before they return! Though they clearly discussed this, Arin's condition made them forget everything.
"Were you at Helsia to create those mess for the Jerivian King?" the Emperor asked. However, the expression on the faces of the two men already told him that his suspicion was right.
They were indeed the ones behind those incidents!
Andres Francia finally nodded as he could feel that his father already knew everything. "That's right."
"What did you do?"
"We helped the ex-officials and triggered the rebellion. We also rescued the imprisoned ex-officials," the Crown Prince replied.
"What about King Rozalez then?" the Emperor asked.
"In the dungeon beneath this palace," Andres informed his father with a bit of reluctance.
"You were being patient for a year," Kalos Francia stated, briefly glancing at Orius and then Andres. "Why did you suddenly do this?"
Though the two can be quite unpredictable at times, he knew that they weren't the type to act recklessly. They won't act unless there was a good reason and after holding back for a year, why now?
He had no idea of Iria's illness. The last time the latter came to Cedore, she couldn't bear to tell him and the Empress.
"We find out that Iria is still suffering from that arrow shot wound she obtained in the Serene Valley," Orius spoke up. "It caused a tear and because of that, she can't use her right arm that much anymore.. We want to avenge her."
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