Hearing his son, there was a hint of surprisement and confusion on the Minister of War's face. Though his only son was still young, he had served in the Royal Army for almost a decade now but... it's his first time talking about the matter of royals at home!
His son was always smart enough to refrain from talking about royals.
What had gotten into him?
"What makes you think that, Trevor?" he finally asked his son after what seemed to be forever.
General Trevor recalled what the former Second Prince said to the King that night. When the Duke said that it was the current King who killed King Tobias, General Trevor noticed the change in the King's expression.
Even before Zaro Aventine became the King, General Trevor had served him in the Royal Army for years and he knew him well. He could feel that something was wrong.
Was Prince Orius telling the truth?
"You don't answer me," the Minister of War sighed. "This is not like you, Trevor."
The General was debating if he should say what he witnessed. As per the rule, he was forbidden to say anything he witnessed while serving the royals to others but... he didn't think that this was a small matter.
"Prince Orius was at Helsia," he finally told his father.
"Prince Orius?" The Minister gave a brief thought and asked, "He's the one behind the rebellion?"
General Trevor nodded. "His Majesty met with him one night and... Prince Orius said that it was His Majesty who killed the previous King."
Confusion was written all over the face of the Minister!
Didn't Prince Orius admit to the crime of killing King Tobias?
Why would he suddenly say that now?!
"You must be careful with what you say, son. Did you forget that what you just said can cost you your life? Besides, you're His Majesty's most trusted military officer," he said to his son. However, his voice was calm in contrast to his words.
"I'm always loyal to the King," General Trevor stated. "But I just have a feeling that something is wrong, Father. Besides, His Majesty changed so much since his father's death. You also know that he is like a completely different person now."
"That's understandable, Trevor," his father argued. "He lost his sister and then his father. The one whom he thought was his younger brother turned out to be the son of Commander Darien, and even his father was killed by that person. With Commander Iria adding more to it, it must be too much for the King."
General Trevor maintained his silence for a while and said, "I still think it's strange, Father. How did the Second Prince become the son of the later Commander Darien? Don't you think it's suspicious?"
"You also know that there is no answer to that. Even the current King was just 2 at that time and both King Tobias and Commander Darien are dead," the Minister of War responded in a tired voice. "What's wrong with you, Trevor? You already broke many rules today."
Though the General didn't respond to his father, his mind was still occupied by what Prince Orius said that night.
Was everything he believed in... just a lie?
Was the King a victim or a perpetrator in this matter?
As someone who hailed from a family who strongly supported the royal family, he was always devoted to the King and the kingdom. There were times when he had to throw away his conscience just to fulfil the orders of the King but he never complained or hesitated.
Nevertheless, this was different and it made him ask himself one question for the first time in his life.
Was the King really worthy of his devotion?
* * *
"The Master Enaerion informed me that Zaro Aventine will be entering the war," Iria said to Arin who was sitting on the bed with his back pressed against the backrest of the bed. With a sneer, she added, "I think I'm a fool, Arin. Why did I even expect him to have some conscience left?"
"Are you disappointed?" Arin Helev asked his wife.
"I feel bad for the late Princess Iria. That's way," Iria Helev muttered. "If she knows that her brother decided to join hands with the one who killed her rather than avenging her... she will surely be heartbroken."
"You can do that instead," Arin Helev said. "She doesn't need a brother to avenge her while she still has a friend like you."
"She also has Commander Nico," Iria promptly stated with a little smile. "I bet Commander Nico will be glad to do that instead of Zaro Aventine."
"Then what about you?"
"Orius will set out to stop Zaro Aventine and... I plan to go with him," Iria cautiously replied, wondering how Arin would react. "Aryan Tripas need to wait for the arrival of the Jerivian King and that means there is no possible sudden attack. The camp is safe."
Arin Helev was confident in this war but... it didn't mean he wasn't worried about Iria. And now... she wanted to go after the Jerivian King. He didn't even know what to think.
Was this a good thing?
"Unless there is a spy, I don't think Aryan Tripas will be able to predict this move," Iria continued. "So, the soldiers can take another way to cross paths with the Jerivian soldiers." Staring at the expression on Arin's face, Iria added, "It's a dangerous move and I know that, Arin. But I think that this is our only chance to corner Aryan Tripas and his allies. However... if you don't want me to go, then I won't."
Arin Helev was taken aback by Iria's last sentence!
Didn't she spend a whole year waiting for this chance?
"Why would you do that?" he asked with confusion still evident on his face and voice.
"Because I won't be able to be at ease," Iria promptly replied. "Though I trust in Orius, I don't trust Zaro Aventine. It's why I wish to go too. However, if you don't want me to go, I don't think I'll be able to focus and I will only disturb others.. You know your opinion always matters to me more than anything else."
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