When Iria went to the vast ground inside the Petrus Army camp, she was greeted by thousands of soldiers from the Aliron Army. Standing in the front were the Generals and before them was Commander Julio Aliron. Then the Commander got down on his knees, followed by the Generals and then the soldiers.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"It's been a while, Commander Julio," Iria quickly said. "Please rise."
The Commander get back on his knees and the Generals and the soldiers followed suit.
"It's an honor to have you summon us here, Your Majesty," Julio Aliron said. "The Aliron Army will give our all to aid you in this war. Please rest assured."
"I'm glad to hear that," the Queen said. "Come inside. We have many things to discuss." She turned to Antony who was standing a step behind her and said, "Arrange a place to rest for the soldiers. They will need their energy tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Antony quickly work to comply with the Queen's order while the latter walked inside her tent with Commander Julio. As her order, a soldier went to Orius to inform him that she wanted to meet him. In no time, the Duke was on his sister's tent too.
"You've met my brother before, right?" Iria said to Commander Julio when Orius sat beside her.
"Yes, Your Majesty. He was there when I came to greet you after the marriage."
"Ah! I remember that you missed the wedding due to some matters. You came a few days after the wedding."
"That's right," Julio Aliron said as he lowered his gaze.
"Then I'll get straight to the point," Iria stated. "My spies informed me that the King of Jerivia is preparing to lead his soldiers to the camp of the Nardodian Army. My brother and I plan to give them a surprise on their way."
"An ambush?"
The Qalagon Queen nodded. "But not just a mere ambush. We plan to wipe them off so that none of them won't be able to reach the camp."
Julio Aliron didn't even take a second to ponder. "How can I help?" were the words that instantly escaped his lips. Even Iria was somewhat taken aback but she didn't show it.
"Don't you want to know more?" she asked.
"I trust in you, Your Majesty," Commander Julio said. "I know that the soldiers here trust you and His Majesty trust you too. I don't have any reason to hesitate."
Iria thought about it for a while and looked at Orius who nodded at her. Then she said, "While the Alewine Army make the first ambush happen, I want you to be ready for the second one. If only the Alewine Army fight at the start, it will make the enemies believe that they are at an advantage."
Julio Aliron processed what he heard and said, "If the enemies gained confidence, they will become more aggressive and when my soldiers appeared, they will struggle to be on their right mind. Is that what you want, Your Majesty?"
The Queen nodded with a satisfying smile. "You're right. We will corner the Jerivian soldiers and crush them all."
"I understand. I will prepare my soldiers for that," the Commander promptly said.
"I think half of the soldiers you brought will be enough, Commander Julio," Iria said. "In case something happens, half should stay behind in the camp. Will that be okay with you?"
"There is no problem, Your Majesty. All my soldiers are at your service," Julio Aliron quickly said and asked, "When will we depart?"
"Tomorrow. We will leave once the sunset." With a menacing smile, she added, "Darkness is the best shield if we want to do things in secret."
Julio Aliron laughed. "That's right, Your Majesty."
"Let your soldiers take a good rest, Commander. They just arrive and they will have to depart again tomorrow. They will need energy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With that said, Commander Julio left the Queen's tent.
"I thought you said that the Alewine Army should be enough to stop Zaro Aventine," Orius said to Iria the moment they were alone. "Why did you change your mind?"
"Don't you advise me that it might be too much of a risk?" Iria simply said, making Orius sigh.
"It seems like Arin advises you the same," the Duke of Larica said. "You hurt my feelings, Iria. You only listen to Arin Helev."
Iria chuckled when she heard her brother. "I don't think you really mean that. You are glad that I listen to Arin at least."
Orius laughed. "That's right. You're always too stubborn."
"Don't you think I've become more and more like the old you?" the Queen jokingly asked and Orius shook his head.
"Uncle said that you have become more and more like Mother," he said without thinking much.
The smile slowly slipped from Iria's face. "I would be glad if that's really the case. You know, I don't have any clear memory of Mother. All I know is what Father and Uncle told me. That's all."
"I think you should consider yourself lucky," Orius said to her. "I have no memory of her and I only know her face from the portrait stored in the royal archive. You're way luckier than me."
Hearing this, Iria understood her brother's purpose and flashed a little smile.
"Once this war is over, I hope we can find a long-lasting peace, Iria," the Duke muttered. "You have Arin and I have Valerie by my side now. Our parents will be very happy if we both lead a happy and good life."
"Father will be very proud of you," Iria said and Orius smiled.
"While he was alive, I know the truth but he didn't. However, I think he finds me different from Zaro, King Tobias and even Iria. He asked me if I want to learn some skills from him."
"He did?" Iria asked, raising a brow.
Orius nodded. "Though it was always my dream, I turned him down because I was afraid that it would draw the King's suspicion. You won't know how much I wish to join you too whenever I saw you trained with him." He unsheathed his sword and continued, "That's why he gave me this sword. He said I should use it to protect my loved ones."
Iria took the sword and observed it while Orius said, "Even in the upcoming war, I will use that to protect you."
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