Iria finds herself in the highest part of the Blue Mountains near the camp. Standing in a place surrounded by grass and trees, the mesmerizing view of waterfalls and the river below were provided right before her eyes.
"I realized that you love nature and a quiet place. So, I'm sure that this place will suffice you." Arin Helev who was standing beside her said. "Do you know what's more?"
Iria shifted her gaze to the Crown Prince with a confused face. Then Arin Helev slightly smiled and pointed at far away in the east. "That's the top of the Jaria Mountains, the highest in your kingdom. You don't have many mountains in Jerivia as we have in Qalagon. According to what I heard, some mountains of Qalagon is visible from Jerivia only from the top of that Jaria Mountains."
With a flustered face, Iria shifted her gaze back to the mountains which Arin Helev pointed. There was such a place in Jerivia where some mountains of Qalagon was visible?! She never knew that. Maybe because she rarely hiked up the mountains though she frequented forests.
"Have you been to Jerivia?" she asked the Crown Prince.
Arin hesitated for a while before he nodded. "Once. I spent a week there."
The Crown Prince of a rival kingdom entered Jerivia and spent a week? That means he was unnoticed during his stay. If he was exposed, he won't live to see this day.
"I think you're more interested in nature than I do," she remarked with a small smile.
"Maybe," Arin muttered and chuckled. "But I have never been to that Jaria Mountains. I don't get the chance," he paused and then said, "I think I should visit one day. I want to see how the mountains of my kingdom look from there."
One day? Will that even be possible? His words only put Iria Alewine in a daze! However, when she got a glimpse of the waterfalls, she slightly smiled again. "We don't have many waterfalls in Jerivia. It's rare as our territory is mostly plains."
ραпdα nᴏνɐ| сom "I figure out that and it's the reason why I brought you here despite the tough trek." He gazed at Iria and continued by saying, "I know that you will be okay with it since you're adventurous."
Iria laughed at his words. Adventurous? She was never adventurous. "Did you went here often?"
"Not often. I rarely visit unless it's during the tournament." The Crown Prince inhaled the fresh air and smiled. "We can stay here for a while and return after that. We will still be on time for the opening ceremony."
Iria nodded and shifted her gaze back to the Jaria Mountains that Arin showed her. Seeing something that was in the territory of Jerivia comforted her much more than one could imagine. It was her home which she loved with all her heart and she wondered if everything would be fine there. She really hoped that the people there would be at peace, especially her friend the Crown Prince.
* * *
The opening ceremony of the annual tournament was mostly dictated by King Regan Helev. Iria was also sitting on the right with Arin Helev next to her. This was her first time appearing before the people of Qalagon in a formal manner and she wasn't feeling great.
She noticed how most of the eyes were on her. Though it was normal for the people to be curious about their new Crown Princess, Iria hated such attention. Was it because she was a fake? Maybe.
Iria Alewine might not be a royal but she was never away from the spotlight. She was a celebrated Commander and people throughout Jerivia wouldn't stop singing praises of her. They never see her face due to the mask she wore but everyone admired her. She loved a quiet life but she never gets one. However, at least, those attention were real.
Thankfully, the opening ceremony was over after some speech and announcements. Iria was told before that the competition will start tomorrow and what awaits the people was a grand feast to celebrate the opening of the annual tournament. This was what they did each year. However, there was something unusual this time.
The people were supposed to enjoy their feast right away but... many of them get down on the ground and rushed to the highest platform where the royals sat. Though they can't walk up due to the guards that blocked them, the sound of chattering and murmuring could still be heard.
"Her Highness is so beautiful!"
"I think her beauty will even surpass Lady Vienna Mareyi!"
"I've seen her before in the market but I never thought that she would be our new Crown Princess!"
Hearing all these chatterings, Queen Lorey who was sitting next to the King slightly smiled and turned to Iria. "It seems like our people are fascinated by you, Crown Princess." She eyed Arin Helev before she smiled at the people. "The Crown Prince never ignored the people. Will you do the same and greet them for the first time?"
Iria looked at the Queen and her seemingly innocent smile. It made her clench her fist in secret. That assassination attempt crossed her mind but... she knew that she didn't have another choice here though she wasn't feeling comfortable. So, she rose from her seat and tried to walk forward, until...
Arin Helev grabbed her hand and stood up. Then he turned to the Queen. "We are married, so I think we should do it together. I hope Her Majesty won't mind."
Queen Lorey glanced at the Crown Prince's face and clenched her fist. "That's better. Go ahead."
Arin slightly smirked before he shifted his gaze to Iria. "Let's go down. Just a few chats will do."
"Alright," Iria responded and they walked down the ground where the people gathered.
All the people quickly bowed when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess reached the ground.
Queen Lorey stared at them as she tried her best to hide her displeasure. Did Arin Helev truly cared the Jerivian Princess?! When she briefly turned her head away, she saw Prince Orius who was staring at her with a warning gaze from a few steps away! This instantly made her uncomfortable as she somehow had a bad feeling about the young man!
Meanwhile, sitting at a distance, Klaus Ermias was carefully observing the couple as they chat with the people.....
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