The Alewine Army have arrived at the camp of the Petrus Army and Iria was with General Zire in one of the tents. Though the General was happy to see his former Commander again, he saw how she was tormented by her husband's condition and it made him even more adamant to help her.
"I heard that Jerivia might enter the war, Your Majesty," Zire said to the Qalagon Queen who was sitting opposite him. "The Jerivian King is having a hard time because of the rebellion."
"Then what is your opinion on that?" Iria asked as she was curious to know what the mindset of her former General was like.
She knew that he also changed a lot and it was why she didn't know him that well anymore.
"If he indeed joins the war, it will be an advantage to the enemies but it's not that bad for us too. We can solve two problems through a single war," Zire replied. "It will be tough but I'm confident."
Iria thought about it and asked, "Is it because of Andres's plan? Just what did he have in mind?"
"I can't say that, Your Majesty. His Highness wants it to be a surprise for you," Zire replied with a little smile on his face. "Only the higher-ranked Generals are aware of this in case there is a spy among the soldiers. His Highness doesn't want his plan to be ruined no matter what. After all, this war concerns your life."
"I'm afraid that Andres will put himself in danger again just for my sake," the Qalagon Queen stated and sighed. Looking at Zire, she shook her head. "You don't even listen to me anymore. Seems like you've really changed."
"That's not the case, Commander." Zire was very quick to deny. "I will never defy you. You can just order me if you really want to know."
The Queen stared at the General for a while before she turned away. "Forget about it. Though I'm curious, I'm afraid I might spoil my cousin's plan. He will have a reason for not allowing me to know. It's fine as long as he doesn't put himself in danger."
Zire slightly smiled when he heard his former Commander. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince will be fine."
*
When Iria walked back to the tent where Arin was treated, she saw her brother quietly sitting near the bed.
"Orius," she called out and walked closer when the Duke turned around.
"Iria," Orius forced a little smile and Iria stood beside him. "Did you talk with Zire?" he asked.
The Queen nodded. "Zire has changed a lot, brother. I find him very unpredictable now."
She recalled Zire from her memory who was easy-going and lively despite being a General. However, the current Zire was nothing like that. She also admitted that he had become more and more like Rion.
"I know," Orius replied. "But don't worry. He is very mature. I know that he is still traumatized by Rion's death but he won't be reckless. He waited patiently for more than a year, just like you."
"Are you saying these because you believe that Zaro Aventine will enter the war?" Iria asked.
Orius Alewine nodded. "Andres won't stop cornering him and he will surely need someone to help him. Though Nathania can step in, it will be better for him if he takes Aryan Tripas's hand."
"Aryan Tripas is the one who poisoned his sister to death, Orius," Iria stated. "If he ever joins Aryan Tripas, I will fulfil my promise to the officials. I will kill them both."
When Orius heard what Iria said, the question that always troubled him crossed his mind once again. Then he looked up at his sister and asked, "Will you really be able to kill Zaro Aventine?"
He was well aware of how the Jerivian King shattered her heart, killed her most trusted companion and even attempted to kill her but... she wasn't like him.
She wasn't a monster.
After being best friends for two decades, will she really be able to take his life?
The Jerivian King was someone whom she used to call a family, her everything. No matter what he did, Orius knew very well that it won't be easy for Iria to kill him.
Or even impossible.
"It won't be easy," Iria said as she didn't want to lie to her brother. "However, I wield a sword for more than a decade though I was never happy with it. Even this time, I will do it not because it's easy but necessary." She paused and firmly added, "Killing Zaro Aventine is the only way I can fulfil my promise to Rion."
Now that her brother brought it up, Iria thought that life was funny.
Just a little over a year ago, the Jerivian King was someone whom she always wished to protect in any situation. To bet her life for him, she never had to think twice. He was the most important person to her but... it was the total opposite now.
Will he find it funny too?
Once again, life was too unpredictable.
What she said still occupied Orius's mind the whole time. She was too determined and the Duke knew that. However, a minute passed and he eventually nodded. "Fine then. As I promised before, I will stay beside you. I will protect you no matter what."
The familiar words... it made Iria squeeze her clothes and she stood behind her brother, placing her palms on his shoulder. "Don't say that, Orius," she muttered. "Don't you know that Rion died right after he vowed to protect me no matter what? If I lose you too, I don't think I'll be able to go through it anymore. Once was hard enough."
Orius smiled and held her left hand that she placed on his shoulder. "Don't worry. We already come this far. I won't leave you alone."
Iria quietly stared at Arin for a while and then narrowed her eyes at her brother. "You better keep your promise. If not, I will never forgive you."
Rion died after promising her that he will follow her wherever she go and... no one know how that sentence haunted her.
She really hated broken and unfulfilled promises......
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