Rubbing her eyes, Iria Helev abruptly stood up yet her gaze never leave Arin Helev who was still looking at her with a little smile on his face.
What was this? He's really awake?
It's not her dream!
"Arin," she called out and crouched down beside the bed. "You're awake?"
The King gently nodded his head once. "I heard what you said," he murmured in a very low voice. "Not just that, I heard everything you said here since you arrived."
He talked and she heard him but... Iria didn't know what to say! Maybe because she was overwhelmed with gratitude!
Before she could even realize it, a tear of joy rolled down her face.
Arin reached out his right hand and wiped the tear away. "Why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy instead?"
With a little smile, Iria held the hand that Arin used to wipe her tear and kissed it. "Are you dumb? It's a tear of joy," she said while still holding his hand.
"Still, I hate seeing your tears. I rarely see it and I can't get used to it," Arin muttered and Iria laughed.
"I don't think you have the right to say that now," she pointed out. "You didn't fulfil your promise to me."
Arin recalled how he promised her to be back soon. Even when he was about to collapse due to the poison, she was the only one who occupied his mind as he knew how devastating she would be.
"I was waiting for you," he murmured. "But I was afraid that you would rush here as soon as you hear the news. However, you stayed strong and forced yourself to be patient. Do you know how proud I am?"
Iria slightly smiled but her gaze landed on his left arm which was affected by the poison. She noticed how he didn't move it even a bit. "How is your arm?" she quickly asked. "The royal doctor tried hard to kill the poison but it wasn't easy."
Still sleeping on the bed, Arin Helev narrowed his eyes at his left arm. "Not that fine," he muttered. "It's hurt."
Anxious, the Queen quickly stood up. "I will inform the royal doctor. He can prescribe you some painkillers."
Arin Helev shook his head. "It's tolerable. Just stay here with me." He paused and said, "You won't know how much I wish to open my eyes and see your face during those weeks."
"It's not a good idea to just endure the pain," Iria said and walked towards the exit of the tent. There were guards on duty there and she instructed them to call the royal doctor. Then she walked back to Arin right away.
"See? It's not hard. I don't intend to leave your side either," she said as she sat beside him. "When did you wake up?" she asked. "When I saw you looking at me with a smile, I thought that it was a dream."
Her words drew a little smile on the King's lips. "I'm not sure. Maybe an hour or two. I want to see your face so much and I took my time doing that."
One thing crossed Arin's mind, making his smile fade. Then he touched Iria's hand. "I'm sorry. You have to wield a sword again because of me. I want to do everything so that you won't have to force yourself again, but -"
He couldn't finish talking as Iria covered his mouth with her hand. "Don't say that. It's just for this once. You will recover and after this war, you will be the one doing everything again."
Arin Helev was well aware of how this war mattered the most to Iria. With Aryan Tripas on the other side and the possibility of Zaro Aventine joining him, he knew how hard it would be for Iria to be calm.
After all, they were the two men whom she despised the most in the world.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the camp of the Nardodian Army, Aryan Tripas was in his tent and though it was almost dawn, it was obvious that the King didn't have a single sleep throughout the night.
With rage written all over his face, he walked back and forth while General Randal was standing a few steps away, watching over him with concern and a hint of anxiety on his face.
"Please calm down, Your Majesty," the General pleaded with the King. "Once we solve this mess, we can come up with a plan to answer them."
"That's our problem, Randal!" Aryan Tripas snapped. "We are yet to come up with a plan while the Qalagon Queen already made her move!"
No one even thought that the former Masked Commander had a surprise planned for them on the night of their arrival!
"Tell me, General. How are we supposed to win this war while she is always a step ahead of us?" the King asked in a firm voice.
"Even in the past, the Masked Commander is famous for her unpredictable moves, Your Majesty. But we've strengthened our security. She won't be able to make a move that easy again," the General replied with his head lowered.
Aryan Tripas still couldn't believe that they encountered such an attack on the night of their arrival! As it haven't been long since they arrived, the soldiers were told to have some rest and... the Qalagon Queen chose that time to attack them!
After all, she had fought many wars and she knew the process well.
Not to mention that Aryan Tripas had to rush back while meeting the Jerivian King! When he saw the heavy smoke in the air, he realized that something happened in the camp while he was gone and he hurried back like crazy!
After many attempts to calm down himself, the King looked at the General. "How many soldiers do we lose?"
General Randal hesitated for a while before he eventually said, "Around 5000, Your Majesty. And around 2000 are injured. Burn injuries are crucial. Even if they make it, I don't think they will be able to join us in this war."
Aryan Tripas clenched his fists when he heard General Randal.
Though he knew that the former Masked Commander was a formidable opponent, it seemed like he still underestimated her abilities......
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