"Your Majesty, we lost more than half of the food we stored in the fire," General Randal reported to Aryan Tripas. "We will have to send soldiers to the capital for more ration. Before that, I don't think we should take any risk. The soldiers won't be able to continue fighting once the food we stored is finished."
Standing near the desk, Aryan Tripas clenched his fists and suddenly thumped the desk!
"Collecting that much food in a short time is only possible if a tax is raised," the General cautiously said to the King.
"I don't care about that!" Aryan Tripas snapped. "We should just do whatever we can to collect the food for soldiers."
"But Your Majesty, it will be too much for the people. They -"
"I don't ask for your opinion, General," Aryan Tripas said in a deadly low voice, rendering the General silent. "Get prepared to return to the capital. I will write a letter for Minister Colson. You will deliver to him and he will know what to do. Plus, your job is to assist him in fulfilling my order."
Though General Randal didn't like the idea, he could only follow the King's order. As such, he bowed and walked out of the King's tent.
* * *
In a room of the Grien Inn, Emor Tripas was still lying on the bed and though a few days had passed since he woke up, his injuries were too severe for him to recover easily.
Despite his condition, the Crown Prince's mind was completely occupied by the upcoming war.
It might already happen. After all, he couldn't leave the room to even know the latest news.
Alena who was with him the whole time was more than worried about him but there was nothing she could do.
"You never sleep much, Emor," she pointed out with concern. "It will only slow down your recovery. You should try to sleep more."
"Don't worry about me, Alena," Emor Tripas muttered. "You're the one who needs more rest. You take care of me all the time."
"Don't lie," Alena argued in a somewhat cold tone. "I can't even touch you to treat your wounds and all I can do is sit here. How can that qualify as taking care of you?"
Despite what Alena said, Emor Tripas still flashed a little smile. "You know I'm used to taking care of myself. Just having you here is enough." He briefly paused and said, "Do you know how much I look for you? You disappeared for more than a month."
Alena thought of how she was fooled by Colson Leland just so that he could use her to lure the Crown Prince. "You know, my father died when I was a child and... Colson Leland is the one whom I always look upon as a father. I used to trust and respect him a lot but... that made it easier for him to trick me."
Staring at his friend, Emor Tripas struggled for words to say. What was he supposed to say when Colson Leland was the same person who locked up both of them in this place?
He really didn't know.
"His Majesty is always his priority," Alena continued. "I know he wrongs you but... if you can leave this place alive, can you please spare him, Emor? If His Majesty heard the truth, he will never forgive Colson Leland though he is his most trusted advisor and friend."
Though his friend's request was supposed to be absurd, Emor Tripas understood how she felt.
Just like his uncle was the one who saved him when Nardodia fell, Colson Leland was the one who saved Alena and taught her everything.
Though he used to hate his uncle for all the things he did to him, he never wanted him dead.
Maybe there really was a thin line between love and hate.
"You don't have to worry about that," the Crown Prince said to his friend who looked at him with a hint of surprisement on her face. Maybe she wasn't expecting him to listen to her. Slightly smiling to assure her, Emor continued, "Let's leave this place alive first. That's the most important."
* * *
While Iria was discussing a certain plan with Commander Nico and her brother, King Vance Amias was visiting Arin. As always, the atmosphere between the two men was lively.
"After not seeing each other for months, you were lying unconscious when I arrive. Don't you think it's unfair?"
Sitting on the bed with his back pressed against the backrest of the bed, Arin Helev chuckled. "It can't be helped when a certain someone only came when I'm on the brink of death," he sarcastically stated.
Vance Amias frowned at his friend's remark. "I don't think you have the right to say that, Arin Helev. You don't even come to see my newborn son. Even Zena is not happy with you."
"Will you relay my apology to your wife? I will come as soon as the atmosphere is peaceful," Arin Helev promptly said but Vance shook his head.
"You should come and do that yourself." Clicking his tongue, he added, "I will surely let you get a taste of your own medicine once you become a father too."
"Are you cursing me?" Arin sighed. "Besides, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the meeting?"
"I come here for you but that is what you say?" Vance Amias snapped and shook his head in disappointment. "You are one ungrateful friend."
"And you're an inconsiderate friend," Arin Helev bluntly replied. "I almost die but you keep on whining ever since you came here."
The King of Zoris stared at his friend for a while and chuckled. "For someone who barely escaped death, you're quite lively, Arin. It's rare to see this side of you."
Not to mention that a huge war was waiting for them!
"Don't you say so yourself?" Arin asked, making Vance blink in confusion.. "Even if I can't fight, I have a wife who can protect me and my kingdom. Why would I be worried?"
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