When Iria walked back to Arin's tent, she saw Commander Julio sitting on a chair beside the King's bed. At her sight, Julio Aliron promptly stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty."
"You're back," Arin said to her with a little smile. "Commander Julio is here and we were talking about you."
"Me?" Iria asked with a bit of confusion and took a seat on the chair near the other side of the bed. Only then did the Commander occupy his seat again.
Arin nodded. "I always told you that Commander Julio is your admirer. Even last time, he asked me if he can have a duel with you."
"Duel?" Iria shifted her gaze to Commander Julio and asked, "Are you interested, Commander Julio?"
Julio Aliron shook his head. "I won't dare to fight you, Your Majesty. Besides, His Majesty already gave me a very good reason not to do that."
Arin Helev cleared his throat and briefly looked at Iria and then the Commander before he said, "You don't have to mention that, Commander."
Arin's rare awkward expression triggered the curiosity of Iria right away. Then with a little smile, she asked, "What reason did His Majesty give you?"
"He said it will be a huge crime if I happen to harm you during the duel and how he is not that forgiving when it comes to you," Julio Aliron replied and the young King inwardly sighed. "Think about it, Your Majesty. Why would I want to bet my life just for a single friendly match? I'm not foolish enough to trigger His Majesty's wrath."
The look on Arin's face when the Commander repeated his words was priceless! It even made Iria chuckle.
"Don't worry, Commander Julio," she said while looking at her husband with a little smile. "Once this war is over, I will give you the chance and I can promise you that even if you happen to hurt me, nothing will happen to you. After all, everything is fair in a duel."
Julio Aliron's face instantly brightened up when he heard the Queen. "Thank you so much, Your Majesty. I will sincerely appreciate it if you give me the chance."
"I heard that you're one of the best swordsmen here in Qalagon. I can't wait to see your skills too," the Queen promptly said.
Thinking of Iria's shoulder, Arin Helev sighed. "I think you should focus more on taking care of yourself rather than a duel," he pointed out with a hint of displeasure on his face.
"Ever since I was young, I never participated in tournaments and all but I never reject anyone who proposes a duel. That's not what a warrior should do." Iria paused and looking at Commander Julio, she added, "I've never lost a duel."
Seeing the nervous expression on the Commander's face, Arin understood Iria's purpose and laughed. "Then I think I should look forward to it rather than being worried."
"It's getting late, Your Majesties," Julio Aliron quickly said as he rose from his seat. "I will take my leave now."
Iria looked up at him and nodded. "You will need rest too. We will have many things to do tomorrow."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
With that said, Julio Aliron bowed and walked out of the tent.
Once they were alone, Iria looked at Arin and noticed that he was already staring at her. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"You said we will talk later," Arin pointed out. "What you said still bothers me."
"I was only cautious, Your Majesty," Iria responded with a little smile. "Don't take it to heart."
"I don't think that's possible," Arin Helev muttered. "You know you're my life."
Iria maintained her silence and Arin continued, "Do you still remember the question I ask you before? I asked you what you would do if something happens to me and you refused to answer that."
"I don't -"
"I will answer that question," Arin promptly said, rendering Iria silent. "If something happens to you, I will first avenge you by crushing everyone involved in the incident. Then I will make Morin my heir and follow you. I don't think I'll be able to live in a world where you don't exist."
Iria didn't say anything for a while as his response occupied her mind. Finally, she forced a little smile. "Then I will have to make sure that such a thing won't have to happen," she said. "Qalagon is very lucky for having someone like you as the King. I don't want to be the one who destroys that luck."
Though Arin Helev didn't say anything, he still struggled to be at ease.
Was it because she was about to fight her once best friend who was now an enemy? He finds her action and words really strange.
* * *
In the Leland family mansion, General Randal was meeting Colson Leland in the order of King Aryan. Sitting opposite the official who was reading the letter he brought, General Randal lowered his gaze.
"May I ask how you will take action, milord?"
"His Majesty wants me to raise the tax to collect enough grains for the soldiers," Colson Leland said as he put down the letter. "You have to mobilize the soldiers for that."
"But milord, the people won't survive if the tax is raised any higher. It's already hard enough for them with the current amount of tax they paid," the General said to Colson Leland.
"What do you expect me to do, Randal? It's the order from the King and the soldiers need food to fight against the enemies," Colson Leland stated. "If we don't collect more tax, the people might live but... they will still suffer in the hands of the enemies."
Thinking of their messed-up situation, General Randal struggled for words to say and Colson Leland let out a sigh.
"Mobilize the soldiers first. We don't have time to lose."
"Is there really no other way?" General Randal asked once again despite knowing that he wasn't in a position to argue.
Colson Leland was the highest-ranking official and the most trusted aide of the King. Only the King and the Crown Prince were above him in Nardodia.
"There is no other way," Colson Leland patiently said to General Randal. "You should move now.. His Majesty will be waiting for you."
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