The Queen talking about sneaking out reminded Hanson and Vienna of old memories. Well, Iria also still remembered that she first met Vienna while sneaking out of the palace.
"I bet His Majesty will still freak out once he knows that you're going out alone, Your Majesty," Vienna said to Iria and chuckled. "What if he comes to look for you?"
"I don't think he will do that," Iria Helev said with a sigh. "He's very busy."
"If that's the case, why don't you have dinner with us, Your Majesty?" Hanson Lorin chimed in. "I'm sure that no matter how busy Arin is, he will surely storm out of the palace if he learns that you're still not back at dinner time."
The Queen laughed when she heard Hanson's suggestion. "That's a great idea, General Hanson. But there is a guest from Jerivia. His Majesty and I need to have a formal dinner with the guest. If not, I will surely have dinner here."
"A guest from Jerivia?" Hanson Lorin raised his brows and the Queen nodded.
"At first, it wasn't a formal visit and that's why you didn't hear about it," Iria explained. "However, things take an unexpected turn. You will be able to hear the details later."
"I really hope for the peace agreement to take place soon," Vienna Lorin chimed in. "If we finally have peace in the east, it will surely help us a lot."
"I hope for that too," the Queen responded with a smile and narrowed her eyes at her friend's belly. "I also wish for you to deliver a healthy baby, Vienna." With a laughter, she added, "If the baby takes your beauty and kind heart with Hanson's courage and loyalty, I bet I will be the happiest."
"You should soon have one too," Hanson Lorin suddenly said, making the two women turn to him. However, the General still flashed a playful smile and continued, "Arin will be thrilled to become a father."
Lady Vienna looked at her friend who seemed to have something on her mind. It made her wonder if the Queen was thinking about what Hanson said. Then much to Vienna's surprise...
"I think you're right," Iria suddenly spoke up after a few seconds of silence. Even Hanson who brought up the matter was taken aback when he heard the Queen's response!
Seeing the reaction on the couple's face, Iria Helev simply chuckled. "Why are you giving me that face?"
Hanson Lorin stared at the Queen with surprisement written all over his face before he finally said, "I just wonder that if Arin is here, he will be very happy."
The General's words made Iria recall everything that the couple said about Arin since she arrived there. The love that the King had for her was so deep that everyone knew and Vienna and Hanson were no exception. However... the way they talked... it seemed as if Arin Helev was the only one who loved her deeply.
She loved him too but unlike Arin, she wasn't that great at showing it, especially when other people were around. On the contrary, that was what Arin excelled at - to let everyone know how much he loved her.
Suddenly, the door was opened without even knocking and the three darted their eyes to it.
"Brother!" Lady Vienna exclaimed when a man who must be in his mid-20s walked inside the chamber.
Brother? Iria wondered if he was the one that Arin talked about.
"Vienna," Cillian Mareyi called out and walked towards his pregnant sister who was sitting on the couch.
When Vienna attempted to stand up, her brother stopped her and instead, he crouched down beside the couch where she sat. "How have you been?" he asked and looking at her belly, he added, "Is the baby fine?"
While Vienna nodded and responded to her older brother with a bright smile on her face, Iria's attention was on someone else who entered the chamber after Cillian Mareyi did.
Arin? He was here too?
Before the Queen could even compose herself, Arin was already standing behind the couch where she sat. Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I don't know that you're here, My Queen, but... it seems like you have a great time talking about me and something else."
His words and menacing tone made Iria sigh.
How much did he hear?
"You're here too, Arin," Hanson Lorin chimed in, much to Iria's joy. "Her Majesty also arrive a while ago. It's great to have both of you here."
"I don't know that she is coming today," the King said to his friend. "However, I'm also glad to see her here." He sighed and added, "In the palace, she rarely has time for me."
Hanson Lorin chuckled and by this time, they also had the attention of Vienna and Cillian.
"I think it's the opposite," the Queen argued with annoyance more than evident in her tone.
"I'm telling the truth," Arin Helev insisted. "Whenever Morin is with us, all her attention always shifts to him. Now, I even wonder if I should send Morin back to the Southern Palace."
Iria Helev raised her brows and she abruptly stood up. "You can't do that. Morin is staying with us."
Arin Helev chuckled when he saw the expression on her face. Then he helplessly shook his head. "I'm only joking, Your Majesty. Can't you tell?"
He always loved to play around with her and thinking of this made Iria sigh. Then she walked closer to her husband and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "You falsely accuse me and you know I hate lies." With a playful smile, she added, "So, I think I should turn that to reality and it won't be a lie anymore."
Iria leaned back and looked at her husband with a sweet yet deliberate smile, making the latter blink.
To turn to reality?
Does that mean... she won't have time for him anymore and only give her attention to Morin?!
Not to mention that he knew how vengeful she was! She will surely do if she said so!
"But -"
He wasn't even given a chance to complain as Iria shifted her attention to Cillian Mareyi right away. "I hear a lot about you, Magistrate Cillian.. I'm so glad to finally meet you."
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