Iria raised a brow when she heard how Crown Prince Arin was willing to tell her his story. She often thought about what his life was like but if she really knew that, she was scared that it would only make her feel more guilty. Fooling him already hard enough but...
Arin already started talking.
"I used to be quite happy when I was young. Living with my father and mother in the palace, I used to have everything." Arin turned away from Iria and looked at the front. "My parents loved me and we were a happy family. My mother was a commoner but my father loved her. Their marriage was a love marriage and they were happy. To make things perfect, our kingdom was also in peace.
"Qalagon wasn't strong compared to the way it is now. So, we faced a dire situation when the Nardodia kingdom planned to attack us. At that time, Nardodia was very powerful and it was impossible for us to fend against them alone. Even with the help of Zoris, we were still at a disadvantage. I was only 9 at that time."
Arin was reminded of the many times when he wished that he was an adult at that time. The feeling made bad memories resurfaced and it created a stinging pain in his heart. Though he was still looking at the front, Iria's gaze was fixated on him. Then he continued.
"The current Queen was the Princess of Nathania at that time. She had taken a liking to my father for many years and when she heard that my father was in a difficult situation, she came up with an evil plan. If my father divorced my mother and marry her, Nathania will help us in fighting the Nardodians. At that time, Nathania was powerful enough to fight Nardodia. My father was forced to choose between his kingdom and my mother."
Arin briefly turned to Iria and said, "I bet you already knew what happened after that. My life now is the result."
Iria never knew that there was such a story behind the marriage of King Regan and Queen Lorey. As such, she was dumbfounded. King Regan abandoned his wife who was Arin's mother to save his kingdom?! When she thought of how 9-year-old Arin would felt, she understood his cold demeanor towards Queen Lorey. No human being would be able to tolerate the one who separated their family!
"My mother left the palace and I wasn't allowed to leave with her. Rather than being the Crown Prince, I wanted to be her son but... I can't even do that." Arin uttered with pain. "Before she left, my mother told me that I should grow up and be strong enough to protect the ones I love. Even if I have a wife one day, I should be able to protect her. That's what she told me and I promised her that I will. She left but she died three months later due to an illness.
"Meanwhile, my father fought the Nardodians with the help of Uncle Feric and the Nathania Kingdom. They won and he married the current Queen as promised."
"It will be hard for you," Iria muttered. She knew the pain of losing a loved one but the way Arin lost his mother was just... too cruel! It was too much for a 9-year-old boy! No wonder he always appeared too cold.
"It was and even now, it still is," Arin replied. "I tried hard not to blame my father because he also lost a loved one. Besides, he is the King and the whole kingdom depends on his decision. Growing up, I understand that much. However, I made a promised not to be weak as him. I will be strong so that no one will be able to harm my loved ones. That's what I always told myself."
Iria narrowed her eyes and thought of what he said until... one thing crossed her mind. Then she quickly turned to Arin. "Nardodia? Is it... "
Arin nodded. "The kingdom that met its downfall five years ago. I was the one who fought them and end them. Now, all the things that used to belong to them including their land is just a part of Qalagon."
Iria still remembered how the Qalagons vastly expand their territory to the north by defeating their neighbouring kingdom years ago. That was his doing? From what she knew, that victory was the one that made Qalagon the powerful kingdom it was today!
"You do that for your mother?" She asked. The 9-year-old boy grew up and gain strength and power to fight the ones who caused his separation from his mother?!
"You can also say it that way. The Nardodians never let us stay in peace and keep on suppressing us. After preparing for years, I fought them when I turned 17." He made a deliberate paused and continued by saying, "I want peace, Iria. However, if anyone poses a threat to my kingdom, I won't just sit and watch. I'm willing to fight them anytime."
Iria understood what he said as that was how she always thought too. She wanted peace but she was also willing to fight anytime to protect her kingdom. However, she was reminded again how bad it would be to have someone like Arin Helev as an enemy!
"You do that again," Arin muttered and let out a sigh.
"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
pαпdα-ňᴏνêι·сóМ "Rather than answering me, you are always satisfied with thinking. I can tell that you used your mind but I don't know what you're thinking. Do you know how annoying that is?" He asked, shaking his head.
"I don't know I did that." She simply replied and looked straight to the front, avoiding his gaze.
Arin simply smiled but he didn't say anything. He had never talked about himself to anyone and talking about it made him thought of the painful memories. It only brought him pain.
"I think I understand how hard it will be for you to face the Queen," Iria muttered, breaking the silence.
"You're right. Deep inside, I still resent her for being too greedy. But there's nothing I can do." Arin paused and said, "No matter what kind of person she is, she is still Morin's mother. I might hate her but... for my younger brother, she is his mother whom he loved.
"I don't want him to lose his mother and grow up with hatred like me. I want him to stay innocent and pure just like he is now. I really want that."
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