Iria was finally roused from her stupor when she heard the sound of someone clapping. She also just noticed that Rion was on the ground, looking up at her with a flustered yet anxious face. Someone watched them?!
Who was it? She quickly turned around and saw a young man walking towards them. She tried to have a clear look at the man and when he was finally close enough, she saw his face. No matter how much she thought about it, she didn't recall meeting this man before. She didn't know him. Was this a good news or bad news? She wasn't sure.
The young man was dressed very simple and he might be a commoner. However, he was quite handsome with enchanting grey eyes and black hair. He was quite tall too. While Iria spent her time observing him, the young man already reached where she was standing.
pαndα noνɐ1,сoМ "That was brilliant," The man remarked with a smile and halted a few steps away. "If you don't lose focus, it will be better. You have great agility."
"Who are you?" Iria promptly asked, paying no heed to his compliment. Her guard was higher than ever and if necessary, she was ready to wield her sword for real.
The man's eyes flickered and flashed an awkward smile. "Oh! That was rude of me, right? We don't even know each other but I was too taken aback when I saw a woman with great agility as you. It's a rare one." He paused and said, "I'm Klaus Ermias, My Lady."
Commander Iria had never heard of such a name. After spending a month here in Qalagon, she knew the surnames of almost every noble and high ranking military officials though she hasn't met many of them in person. Was he really a commoner?
"I've told you who I am. Will it be rude of me to ask you who you are? I never know that there is a skilled woman like you in our kingdom." The young man named Klaus Ermias asked her with a curious face.
Iria struggled for words to say. She only knew his name, nothing more or less. What if he was someone who worked in the palace or if he had any connection with the people there? For a split second, she debated if she should just kill him right here. However, she can't do that.
It was her principle not to harm innocent people no matter which kingdom they belonged to. Her sword should only be used for enemies who were standing in her way. She lived on with that principle and she didn't want to act without proving anything.
Briefly glancing at Rion who was now standing beside her, she said, "We are just travellers. We don't belong here."
At her response, the man nodded with a knowing smile. "Ah! Maybe that's why I don't know you. I was wondering why I don't know anything about such a skilled woman in our kingdom. It turns out you're not a subject of Qalagon."
"Are you a soldier?" Iria asked. Somehow, her instincts told her that he was one.
Klaus Ermias nodded. "Yes. Just an average soldier who is on leave but my skills aren't comparable with yours. You will beat me for sure."
An average soldier. Iria knew that she had no reason to be wary but that will be the case only if he was telling the truth. She kept on observing the man while the latter simply stared at her with an amusing smile on his face. He was very calm too.
Then Klaus Ermias turned away and glanced around their surroundings. "It will be noon soon. I have to return to the camp in the afternoon, so I will be going now. I really wish to see you again, My Lady. I think you're one of a kind," he said to Iria with a friendly smile.
Before Iria could say anything, he turned his back at her and walked away.
"What will we do, Commander?" Rion promptly asked her as soon as Klaus Ermias left.
Staring at the back of the man, Iria said, "Follow him and find out if he was telling the truth or not. If it's the latter, kill him."
With the command given, Rion bowed and followed the man right away.
Klaus Ermias. An average soldier. She hoped that her decision to not wield her sword was right. She truly did.
*
Another two or three hours passed when Prince Orius finally reached the place where Iria was. When he saw her alone, the Prince was quite confused. "Where is Rion?" He asked.
Iria stood up and slightly bowed at the sight of the second Prince. "I give him some task and he will return alone. Did you finish your task, Your Highness?"
The Prince slightly nodded. "Let's return now. It's better not to be too late."
"Your Highness."
Prince Orius who just turned around, halted when he heard Iria. Then he turned back to face her again.
"Is the contents of the letter that bad? Is that why you refused to tell me since yesterday?" Iria asked. Her voice was low and she narrowed her eyes at the ground the whole time.
The Prince remained quiet for a while before he finally said, "It didn't fall in the category of good news."
"What is it?" Iria quickly asked. She tried to be patient and wait until Prince Orius tell her but... it became too hard. It distracted her and forbids her from thinking of anything else. It's too tormenting for someone like her who sacrificed herself for her kingdom from a young age.
"We will soon face a war against Helsia," Prince Orius said. "My father is planning to lead the Royal Army and fight the war."
It's really Helsia! Her Alewine Army just won a war against them and they wanted another war again? This was never the case!
Understanding her mind, Prince Orius Aventine said, "One of the Generals who died in that war is the Prince of Helsia, King Rozalez's second son. The King is determined to avenge his son and he is leading the war himself. That's why my father planned to do the same."
The King will be leading the war himself?! Iria never thought of that! She didn't want him to do that either!
When Prince Orius saw the frustration in her face, he thought of the second news he received.
Considering Commander Iria's close relationship with Princess Iria, he knew that the frustration will soon be replaced by pain and... it was the exact reason why he was hesitating until now. Such a sight was the last thing he wanted to see.....
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