When Iria who was the Commander-in-chief of the recently concluded war announced that there would be no feast or any gathering to celebrate the victory and instead, each soldier who participate will be awarded, it shocked almost everyone. Only a few knew why she made such a decision and among them was Arin Helev.
The King knew why his wife made such a decision and he understood her too.
"I hope that giving a reward to each soldier will be able to make up for the victory celebration," Iria said to Arin who was staring at her the whole time as she spoke.
"The soldiers will be happy with whatever decision you make," Arin Helev muttered. "You lead them to such a great victory with the minimum sacrifices and they can't stop singing praises of you since then. They will be okay with anything."
"You understand, right?" Iria asked in a low voice. "At Jerivia, Athena will be grieving over her husband's demise and at Nardodia, Emor is saying goodbye to his only family. The two are never an enemy to me. I can't add salt to their wounds by celebrating."
Arin nodded. "I understand. We will reward the soldiers and have dinner with Orius, Vance, Commander Nico, Hanson and other high-ranking military officers. That should be enough."
Iria flashed a little smile. "As I often said, you always know how to calm me down."
"Isn't that only normal? I'm your husband. If I don't do it, then who will?"
Iria chuckled at his words but they were interrupted by the sound of knocking on the door.
Elian walked inside and bowed before the King and Queen.
"What's the matter, Elian?"
"The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Cedore arrives, Your Majesty," Elian replied and added, "Crown Prince Augustus of Aederin is also with them."
Iria's face instantly brightened up at the news and the presence of the Aederin Crown Prince made her even happier. Though Crown Prince Augustus helped a lot, she didn't expect him to come here!
"Let's go," Arin said to her and stood up. "They will be waiting."
*
"We're so glad to have you here, Crown Prince Augustus. It's an honor," Arin Helev said to the Crown Prince of Aederin who was standing before him.
"I'm also glad that we meet again, Your Majesty," Augustus Arille formally said. "I was planning to return to Aederin but I ended up coming here. However, I don't regret it at all as your Qalagon is a beautiful place."
Arin Helev smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."
"We're also grateful for your help, Your Highness," Iria chimed in. "Without your help, we won't be able to prevent the main war."
"I only did that to repay you, Your Majesty," Augustus Arille promptly stated. "You take care of the Jerivian King and I want to thank you for that."
Though Iria knew what the Crown Prince was referring to, her smile slipped a bit at the mention of the Jerivian King.
Zaro Aventine.
"Let's go inside," Iria said, briefly glancing at her cousin and his wife. She had already greeted them before she greet the Aederin Crown Prince and even now, she also noticed the concern on Andres's face.
Did he notice how her expression changed at the mention of the late Jerivian King? Maybe.
After all, Andres never missed anything when it comes to her.
* * *
The mourning and funeral of Aryan Tripas were over and the palace that was crowded for several days was now unusually quiet.
Emor Tripas was inside his chamber, sitting on a chair behind the desk. With the passing of the King, the throne automatically passed on to him as the Crown Prince and the date for his coronation ceremony was now less than a week away.
As all responsibilities fell into his hands, he had so much work to handle and his desk was also full of files that needed his attention. However, he couldn't get his mind to work. After all, the funeral was only over a day ago. Though his wounds were now mostly healed, everything that happened still rendered him weak.
While the young King was sitting alone with all his attention somewhere else, he was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of knocking on the door. Then Theo walked inside with some scrolls in his hands and bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"What are those?" Emor Tripas promptly asked.
"These are the letters from the officials calling for Colson Leland to be executed," Theo replied. "Everyone now knows what happened and they also know that Colson Leland is still locked up in the dungeon."
"Words spread fast," Emor Tripas muttered and with a gesture from him, Theo put the scrolls on his desk.
Emor Tripas quietly stared at the scrolls before he turned back to Theo and said, "Let's go to the dungeon."
*
After walking past several dark hallways with Theo, Emor Tripas soon found himself in the dungeon before Colson whose hands and legs were chained and fastened by shackles.
The way Colson Leland looked at him... it seemed like he still haven't heard about the passing of the King!
"I was expecting you for several days now, Your Highness," Colson Leland said to him. Though he appeared quite disheveled after days in the dungeon, the way he talked and presented himself was still the same.
Formal yet insolent.
"I was busy due to the mess you made, Colson Leland," Emor replied in a surprisingly calm voice. "And here I am to fulfill the promise I made."
"Promise?" the Minister asked, confused.
"Didn't I tell you that I will kill you if anything happens to my uncle?" Emor said and added, "Now that my uncle is no more, I come to fulfill my promise."
No more? Colson Leland's eyes grew wide when he realized the meaning.
The King was dead?!
Losing all his composure, he repeatedly shook his head. "No. This can't be. I don't believe it." He looked at Emor and walking closer as much as his chains allowed him to, he shouted, "You're lying!"
At this, Theo instantly unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Colson Leland.. "Show some respect to His Majesty or I'll kill you right here."
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