Commander Nico's response drew a little smile from Iria's lips.
Considering how much Nico Petrus loved the late Princess, she expected that much.
When true love happened, even a short time together can change one's life forever and Iria believed in such a love.
"I'm glad you think that way, Commander Nico," she said. "Iria will be very proud of you."
"I hope so, Your Majesty. I will try to live my life in a way that she won't be ashamed of me," Nico Petrus said, forcing a little smile. "Now that we finally have peace talks with Jerivia, I hope to visit her grave soon. In the past year, I was so busy organizing my army and I also can't bear to go there for the sake of you and His Majesty. But now, I feel like I can finally pay a visit.
Iria nodded. "That's a good idea. You worked hard for more than a year and it's only fair for you to rest."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Nico Petrus muttered. "It's been so long and I'm not sure if she will be glad to see me," he added in a low voice.
"She was the most understanding person I've ever known," Iria promptly said. "I'm sure that she will understand you."
* * *
It had been a while since the dinner prepared by Iria started and the Queen was sitting with her husband on the head of the table. Apart from Orius and Valerie, Andres, Ophelia, and Crown Prince Augustus; the ones joining them at the dinner were mostly high-ranking military officers.
The chairs and the long dining table were occupied by them and it was a blissful yet less noisy dinner compared to a feast full of chatterings.
"What are you thinking?" Arin Helev asked Iria when she maintained her silence and only looked in a certain direction.
Iria turned to the King with a little smile before she turned back to where she looked before. "Look at Andres and Ophelia. Do you think their relationship improved a lot compared to the last time we saw them?" With her gaze on Andres who had a bright smile on his face, Iria added, "I rarely saw Andres that happy. Besides, I worried a lot because of his feelings for Crown Princess Maria."
"When there is no hope, it's easier to move on, Iria," Arin Helev said. "Besides, I believed that they work hard to make it work."
"That's right," the Queen muttered. "If Andres can love Ophelia and lead a happy life as Orius did, I won't have to worry anymore."
There was a smile on Arin's face and Iria slightly raised a brow. "Why are you smiling?"
"I just feel like you worried more about Andres than Orius. It's strange because Orius is your twin brother while Andres is your cousin."
"Brother or cousin... they are both my family," Iria Helev promptly said. "Besides, you know them well. Orius is always honest and straightforward with me but... Andres is someone who rarely speaks what he actually feels. That's why I'm worried about him more. I don't want him to lead a dull and empty life full of fake smiles."
Hearing this, Arin shifted his gaze back to his friend who still had that bright smile on his face. Then he turned back to Iria. "I think you don't have to worry anymore. Crown Princess Ophelia is the complete opposite of him but they make a well-matched pair."
Iria nodded and lifted the cup of wine. However, just when she was about to drink it... Arin Helev took it from her.
"What was that for?" she asked with an almost annoyed face.
"You already have three cups," the King said. "Are you sure you can stand another more?"
The Queen nodded without even thinking twice. "Why won't I?"
"But I'm still a patient," Arin Helev insisted. "If you happen to get drunk, then who will look after me?"
"If I'm not wrong, your arm is almost fully healed now," Iria sighed. "Why are you still a patient?"
"You just say it yourself," Arin Helev insisted. "Almost and not fully healed. Doesn't that make me a patient?"
Iria wondered what had gotten into her husband's mind.
Didn't he always insist that he was fine?
"Your Majesty, I still remember that you promise me a duel once the war is over," Julio Aliron spoke up, shifting the couple and everyone's attention to him. "Will Your Majesty be kind enough to keep your promise?"
Thinking of what could be an exciting duel, everyone's face lit up and all attention was on the young Queen.
"Duel?" Vance Amias asked with an exciting smile. "Are we up to a great show?"
This made Arin Helev sigh but...
"Sure, Commander Julio," Iria simply said. "A promise is a promise. I'm ready anytime."
Julio Aliron shifted his gaze to the young King who didn't appear to be very pleased. Once again, this made him feel the pressure and Iria promptly spoke up.
"His Majesty also consent to this, Commander Julio. You don't have to worry about it. You won't be held responsible over just a wound." She paused and with a playful smile, she added, "Well, that will be only if you get the chance to even have me wounded."
"The King might be fine with it but I'm not," Orius said with a playful smile that was very similar to Iria.
No wonder they were twins! That's what others thought.
Iria sighed when she heard Orius. "What's it this time, brother?"
"Isn't it clear?" the Duke simply said. "I won't allow my only sister to get hurt just for a duel."
"You should trust in me more," was Iria's simple response and it drew a smile from everyone's lips.
"I trust in Iria," Andres Francia chimed in and looked at Commander Julio. "Commander Julio should be the one getting worried." Shifting his gaze to Orius, he added, "Not us, cousin."
The Cedore Crown Prince and Orius's words made Julio Aliron inwardly sigh. The King was also the same!
It's just a duel, for god's sake!
Why were these men overexaggerating while it was just a simple duel?!
It's not like he was hoping to beat the Queen! He only wanted to see if he stood a chance!
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