ραпdα nᴏνɐ| сom Commander Iria recalled how that Klaus Ermias risked his life to save hers. If he wasn't lucky and if the arrow hit the vital points, he would surely be dead by now. He barely survived and now... that became a problem?!
"Your Highness, he is heavily injured while saving me. I don't think he will be a threat to us," she explained to Prince Orius Aventine.
"Who is he?" the second Prince asked. Though he acted indifferently, his keen gaze never stopped reading the Commander. That scene in the pavilion also repeatedly crossed his mind.
"Captain Klaus Ermias of the Royal Army," Iria responded. "He didn't look like an average Captain. Even the Crown Prince seems to know him well."
"I'll check him out and see it for myself," Prince Orius said.
Iria darted her eyes to him but when she met his gaze, she quickly looked down again. "Are you planning to kill him?"
"I can't say for now. If he is some capable soldier like you said, it might be risky to make a move," Orius Aventine replied. "However, I won't hesitate if I think he is someone who might pose a threat to us.
"You should be careful, Commander Iria. None of these would happen if you didn't let him spot you in the very first place."
"I apologize, Your Highness. I will be careful from now on," Iria promptly said and the second Prince nodded.
"Alright. Don't visit the Garetth Forest for a while. Besides, the annual tournament is just a day away. If someone wants to make a move, this tournament might be the best choice," Prince Orius warned Iria.
Assassination attempt? The upcoming tournament will provide a great chance for such an act!
* * *
Queen Lorey Helev was alone in her chamber. Though the night wasn't that early now, King Regan was still in the royal meeting room, busy with the administrative affairs of the Kingdom.
Though she was the Queen the most powerful woman in Qalagon, her life was far from happy. She was always alone and maybe that loneliness was the exact thing that always turned her more bitter. She never received her husband's love though it was always the thing she wanted the most.
"It's been a while, Your Majesty."
Queen Lorey instantly glanced around every corner of her chamber when she suddenly heard a voice. She rose from the bed where she was sitting and was about to call for the guards until...
One young man made his way inside through the balcony. His whole body was covered by a black cloak and when he was a few steps away from the Queen, he halted and revealed his face.
The Queen's eyes flickered when she saw the face of the man. "You? Why did you come? You didn't even tell me beforehand."
Prince Orius Aventine stood still with a nonchalant face. "There is an emergency. That's why," he said.
Somehow, the Queen was feeling intimidated by this man. Despite being so young, he possessed a formidable and powerful aura which she finds really strange. Just who was he?!
"Emergency? I don't hear anything about such a thing," she said.
Prince Orius slowly walked to the right and the tip of his fingers gently brushed the table. Then he sat on the table and turned to Queen Lorey. "You don't know?" He let out sinister yet dry laughter before his face suddenly turned darkened. "What about the failed assassination attempt today?" he asked, emphasizing the word 'failed.'
Queen Lorey raised a brow. Why was he bothered with the assassination attempt?
"Is there a problem with that?" she asked. Though she was the Queen, it didn't stop her from fearing this stranger with whom she unexpectedly ended up making a deal. If this young man wasn't quite useful, she might already think of a way to get rid of him.
Prince Orius stood up and made his way towards the Queen. Each step that he took closer to her, her anxiety and fear grew. Then the Prince stood in front of her. He was taller and he looked down at her with a face that was devoid of any expression. Unlike her, it was clear that he didn't feel any pressure. It made her wondered about his identity again.
"You almost killed the Crown Princess today," Prince Orius deadpanned.
"You said that you will give me details about everything that happened in the Crown Prince Palace as long as I help you create an opportunity for you to be a guard there. Our deal has nothing to do with the Crown Princess," Queen Lorey Helev said.
"That's right," the second Prince remarked and the Queen slightly smiled but it was short-lived as the former continued by saying, "However, I warn you not to do such a thing again."
"Watch your mouth!" the Queen uttered in a stern voice. "How dare you -"
"I don't care about your identity as the royal Princess of Nathania or the Queen," Orius Aventine deadpanned and the Queen's eyes grew wide in surprise.
"Whatever happened to the Crown Prince and all the moves you make against him, I don't care about any of that. However... " He made a deliberate paused and said, "If anything happens to the Crown Princess, you won't be safe either. Remember that."
"What are you saying? That don't have anything to do with -"
"I never like to repeat myself, Your Majesty. If you make such a move again, especially during the annual tournament, I will make sure that you regret it," Prince Orius said and his lips curved into a slight smirk when he added, "Well, that will only be possible if you still live to even regret."
Before the Queen could say anything, Prince Orius turned his back at her and approached the balcony again, but...
"Are you from Jerivia?"
He halted when he heard the Queen's question. However, he didn't bother to turn around and face the Queen again.
"Why would you care for the Crown Princess's safety if you're not from Jerivia? Are you a Jerivian soldier? Noble? Knight?" Queen Lorey guessed and think of many possibilities but a royal.
Who would have thought that the one who posed as a guard in the palace of the Qalagon Crown Prince was the second Prince of Jerivia?!
"You already agreed not to ask about my identity. Just remember what I said," Prince Orius uttered and quickly left the Queen's chamber through the balcony.
Queen Lorey stared at the empty balcony for a while. Though she, the Queen of Qalagon was just treated disrespectfully and threatened by a stranger, her curiosity won over her rage.
Just who was that rude and fearless young man? She really wished to know the answer.....
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