King Tobias Aventine narrowed his eyes at his daughter who was lying dead on the bed. His reaction a mixture of shock and pain! His only daughter was really gone?!
A single drop of tear rolled down his face as he bent his knees and hugged his daughter's corpse. "Iria," he muttered. His voice was more than desperate! What would he do now?!
Crown Prince Zaro Aventine wasn't much different from his father. He bent his knees and touched his younger sister's face with his left hand while holding his devastated father with his other hand. Unlike his father, he didn't shed a tear but his eyes were all red due to the resisted emotions.
He must be strong for his father. He must make sure to find out who took his innocent sister's life! He repeatedly reminded himself on his mind as he clenched his fist tighter and tighter!
"I won't forgive the one who killed my daughter! I will find them and shred them to pieces!" King Tobias howled and tightened his grip around his daughter's corpse. As tears rolled down his face, his eyes were burning with rage! He only had one thing on mind - avenging his innocent daughter.
* * *
Iria Alewine was calmly sitting on top of the pavilion in the Royal Army Camp. If only she knew the passing of her friend, she won't be calm and instead, she would surely want to rush back to Jerivia and messed up everything! Maybe ignorance was a good thing at times.
"So, what do you think of our camp?" Arin asked her as he took a seat beside her. He was briefly talking with the Generals about the empty spot of Captain Klaus in the annual tournament and he just returned to Iria's side.
Iria stared at the ground where the soldiers were currently having training. Just a month ago, this used to be a part of her everyday life - observing her soldiers as they trained.
"It's great. It turns out that you're more than great in managing the army," she remarked.
She knew that it was normal for the heir apparent to command the army, mostly the Royal Army. However, Arin Helev as a Commander seemed to be highly respected and admired by the soldiers apart from being the Crown Prince. That's what she noticed in her short time here in the camp.
"I spent most of my time with my soldiers and in that case, we eventually grew close and that helped me a lot," Arin said. "I love to be with them more than spending time with my family."
Iria recalled what Arin told her while they were in Zoris. "Is it because of the past? I mean, your mother."
"That's the main reason but... I'm always busy too. I have many responsibilities as the heir apparent," the Crown Prince said. His voice was low and he narrowed his eyes at the floor as if he was thinking of something.
"I think I always see you around the palace these days. You don't seem that busy to me," Iria simply said. She felt a bit sorry for thoughtlessly bringing up about his mother and she hoped to change the topic.
Hearing her bold remark, Arin let out a chuckle. "You think that way? I'm only trying to give you more time and attention. It's still not long since you came here and I want to help you adapt to life here. These days, I only visit the camp if there is something that needs my presence."
Iria blinked at his response. The reason was her? Why didn't she know anything?!
Crown Prince Arin laughed when he saw her reaction. "Even the meeting yesterday was supposed to be held in the camp but I told them to do it in the palace. I don't know that my purpose will be misunderstood this way," he remarked, gazing at her with an amused face.
She was always being bold and he liked that.
After struggling for words to say, Iria finally muttered, "You don't have to do that. I'll be fine alone."
Arin quietly stared at her before he nodded. "I think you're right. You're doing better now."
Doing better? Iria wasn't aware of that. Did she really adapt to the life of Qalagons? Wondering this, she shifted her gaze to the soldiers who were currently training on the ground. It instantly made her wonder if Jolene and Zire would be doing fine. She trusted them but she was afraid that the soldiers would spot that Jolene was a fake. After all, it's been over a month.
"You talked about an accident last night. What kind of accident is that?"
Iria Alewine darted her eyes to Crown Prince Arin Helev when she heard his question. Why did he suddenly ask her that?
"I recalled what happened last night and I realized that I don't ask you anything about the accident you mentioned. You return with blood on your clothes," Arin explained and unbeknownst to Iria, he was squeezing his clothes with his hand. Was he feeling nervous?
"Did someone get injured?" he asked after a deliberate pause.
"Yes, some stranger," she replied. Her gaze observed him as she finds it a little strange. Inquiring her; that's not what Arin Helev used to do. What made him do it this time?
Arin faints a smile and slowly let loose his hand. "Really? Is the person safe?"
Iria nodded. "It's not a serious injury."
"That's a relief," Arin remarked. Then he slowly shifted his gaze to the soldiers.
pαndα noνɐ1,сoМ Why did she lie?
He was sure that he briefly overheard her talking about the injury with Captain Klaus Ermias just before he entered the tent. They even mentioned an assassination attempt.
Was it so hard to say that the one who gets injured last night was Captain Klaus and not a stranger?
What exactly happened between them? Were they together when the Captain was injured?
Was there something more to this incident?
Arin Helev had many questions but he had the answer to none. He briefly looked at Iria who was watching the soldiers training. Why was she so mysterious and easy-going at the same time? Was that even possible?
He turned his head away from her and wondered if he should ask her more about it. However, he refused the idea. It would be best to not talk about it, for now. However, he was determined to investigate the case.
Was it really an assassination attempt? Against her?!
That's something he would never overlook!
Then he shifted his gaze back to her again and said, "Shall we go? I also need to practice for tomorrow's tournament."
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