Hearing out Iria's response, there was a subtle smile on Arin's lips. "Is this still the after effect of that assassination attempt against you?" he asked with almost a playful tone.
The Queen sighed. "Don't even get me started. What will you do if you were me? If I give you a cold shoulder as you gave me that day, will you be okay?"
Arin Helev laughed. "Did you forget that I already went through what you mentioned? When you returned to Jerivia, I come after you and caught up with you in the Grenet Forest but... you were too cold to me."
Iria frowned at him but she didn't say anything. Then Arin continued, "I don't think I'll be able to go through it again if you were to give me such a cold treatment. That's my answer."
"Then why -"
"But you deserve it that day," Arin promptly stated before Iria could say whatever she was trying to say. "It was hard for me too and being that way also hurt me. However, I have to let you know that what you did was wrong and I'm glad that you understand my purpose, Iria."
Once again, Iria didn't say anything and Arin Helev was a bit confused. A few seconds and much to his surprise, she suddenly stood up.
Was she angry?
"What -"
The King couldn't continue as Iria removed her shoes and climbed on the bed. She slept beside him and curled as small as she could. Arin narrowed his eyes at her for a while before he eventually smiled. "Are you a baby or what?"
"It's cold," Iria said while still closing her eyes.
Her response was the same as that night and it made Arin chuckle. Without saying anything, he pulled up the blanket for her and then slept too.
"When will you leave with Orius and the soldiers?" he asked her.
"You allow me to go?"
Arin nodded. "I will trust in you. However, be careful with your shoulder. It might get worse if you overexert it like before."
Still closing her eyes, Iria nodded. "I will remember that."
"Then when will you leave?"
"Tomorrow," she replied. "For the plan to succeed, we have to depart before the Jerivians did. The Aliron Army will also arrive tonight."
Arin Helev gave a quick thought and said, "Why don't you let the Aliron Army come too? In case something happens, they can serve as a backup."
The Queen finally opened her eyes and looked at her husband. "Do you think that will be alright?"
"Even if Aryan Tripas find a way to come for us while you're gone, there will be Commander Nico, Vance and Hanson too. They will be able to hold back the enemies," Arin replied. "Your mission is more uncertain and you don't have to bring the whole Aliron Army either. Even just half will do."
Iria thought about it and nodded. "That's great. I will talk to Commander Julio once they arrive."
"Believe me. I bet he will be very excited to aid you," Arin said with an amusing smile on his face. When he noticed that Iria already closed her eyes again, he asked, "Are you feeling tired?"
"A bit. It's been a while since I last train and worried about military affairs. Maybe that's why."
"Then get some rest," he said as he caressed her hair. "There is still some time before dinner." He briefly paused and asked, "I don't see Elian around. He didn't come with you?"
"I tell him to take care of Morin. You know, Morin will be alone and I can only trust Elian to protect him," Iria murmured.
Her response drew a little smile from Arin's lips. "I'm glad. You always take care of my family like your own."
"They are my family too," Iria Helev muttered. "Why do you talk like they are not my family?"
"I'm sorry," Arin Helev said with a small smile. "I won't talk like that again."
Iria opened her eyes and looked at his left arm. "How is your arm now? I was so busy in the day to even check on you."
"I can move, but just a bit," Arin replied. "Don't worry about me and only focus on the war. I will recover sooner or later."
Iria narrowed her eyes when she heard him. "Even if something happens to me, I hope you can stay strong and live on for the sake of the kingdom," she suddenly said to Arin in a low voice.
Hearing the words, Arin Helev slightly pushed himself up using his right hand. "Why would you say that?"
Iria didn't say anything and only made Arin feel the pressure more.
"Your Majesty -" Antony walked inside the tent but he halted and maintained his silence when he saw the gesture from the King.
"Answer me, Iria," the King said with all his attention on his wife. "Why must you say that?"
"You know I hate unfulfilled promise," the Queen said in a low voice. "What if I don't survive the war? I don't want to ask you to wait for me while nothing is certain. In case something happens, won't that only leave a lasting scar on your heart?"
"No matter what you say, I don't think I'll be able to live on without you. I already said that before. Did you already forget?" Arin argued yet his voice was calm.
"Let's talk again later," Iria suddenly said after maintaining her silence for a while and turned to Antony before Arin could say anything. "What's the matter?" she asked.
"The Aliron Army has arrived, Your Majesty," the Captain of the Royal Guards promptly informed the Queen.
Iria nodded. "I'll be right there."
With that said, Antony walked out of the tent and Iria turned her attention back to Arin. "I'll go there and talk to Commander Julio," she said.
"You are really great at scaring me, Iria," the King pointed out.
With a little smile, Iria leaned closer and planted a brief kiss on Arin's lips. "Don't worry," she muttered when she pulled back.. "I will give my all to not let your fear come true."
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