"Just leave me alone, Iria."

Iria darted her eyes to Zaro when she heard his last sentence! He had never once said that to her!

She wondered if she would just leave him as he said but... when she narrowed her eyes at his wound, she can't do that. Crown Prince Zaro Aventine was the most stubborn person she ever knew! If she can't persuade him to treat his wound, then no one else can!

Without saying anything, she pulled him and made him sit on the chair. She looked for some ointment and apply it to his wound after she wiped the blood away. "Don't you know that your hands are very precious? You're the future of our Kingdom. You shouldn't do any harm to yourself." She calmly said while applying the ointment.

Yes, she was infamous as a notorious Commander who never showed mercy to her enemies. However, she's a loyal friend and subject. A reliable leader to the Alewine Army whom the people of Jerivia admired.

"Why must you be so stubborn? Rather than sending you there, I'm willing to fight the Qalagons right now." Zaro finally said in a calm voice. He narrowed his eyes at her the whole time.

"My father always taught me to sacrifice a few to achieve greater success. I won't allow the soldiers to sacrifice themselves for a war that has very little chance of success." Iria said and stood beside the Crown Prince.

"His Majesty already issued an order." She continued. "So, I will go to Qalagon and stay for a few months. You don't have to worry about me. It's just an alliance marriage, nothing more. Besides, I can protect myself. So, take good care of the Princess."

"You always cared about the Kingdom and the people the most. Then what about me?" Zaro asked. "We grew up together and I'm older by 2 years. I should be the one protecting you."

"Zaro." She muttered and placed her hand on his shoulder. "We are not kids anymore. As you know, I have no family left. You, the Princess and the King are a family for me. So, I will do anything to protect the royal family and this Kingdom."

"You are the future King. You should always think of the long run and for now, this is the best decision." She slightly smiled when he looked up at her. "Don't worry. I will return soon."

When the Prince didn't say anything, Iria spoke up again. "My soldiers will be here soon. So, I will return and prepare for the journey." Without waiting for his response, she left the room right away while Zaro stared at her until she was out of his sight. Feeling helpless, he tightly clenched his fist.

Leaving the Crown Prince's palace, Iria cross path with Prince Orius Aventine who seemed to be returning from hunting. He was the younger son of the King and the twin brother of Princess Iria Aventine.

"Your Highness." She bowed out of courtesy and tried to walk past him but...

"You care so much about my brother while giving me a cold shoulder all the time. I don't remember myself offending you, Commander Iria." The Prince said.

Having no choice, Iria Alewine turned to him. "I apologize if I give you that impression. It's not my intention."

Prince Orius slightly smiled. "No problem. You just returned with victory but you are summoned right away. My father should treat you better."

Commander Iria slightly lowered her head. "He's the King. I won't dare to complain about that."

"Then I won't hold you back anymore. You must be tired." The Prince said and walked past Iria with one of his guards.

Iria took a brief glance at the Prince while he was walking past her. She stood still until he entered the gate and tightly clenched her fist. Then she mounted her horse and ride back home.

She was away for a whole month, fighting a war with Helsia Kingdom. However, she had nothing to miss about her home as she had already lost all her family.

Her grandfather established the Alewine Army and it was passed on to her father who expands and bring glory to the Army. When her father passed away three years ago, she became the youngest Commander at the age of 17. Since then, she leads her army to many wars and never lost a single war.

She had no sibling and her mother passed away a few months after she was born. She didn't even know how her mother looked like. As such, her only goal was to ensure the safety of the Kingdom and the people.

* * *

When night arrived, Iria summoned three of her most trusted soldiers who always helped her in maintaining the Army. She planned to talk with them about the alliance marriage.

After she explained to them about the Princess assassination attempt and how she was left in a coma, she said, "I will go to Qalagon in the Princess's place. His Majesty also issued an order in the afternoon."

The reaction on the three soldiers faces was more than one could imagine! Shock, disbelief and even rage; all was evident!

"Commander - " Zire tried to spoke up but the Commander stopped him by raising her right palm. They had fought beside her for years, so she knew what they were thinking.

"I understand what you thought but listen to me first." She said. "I was the one who suggests this. His Majesty opposed it and I barely convinced him to agree. So, you must know that I am not forced in the name of a royal order."

"This is unacceptable, Commander." Jolene, the only female except Commander Iria, spoke up. "Without you, how about the Army?"

"That's what I'm trying to discuss with the three of you." The Commander said and turned to Jolene. "Like we often did in the past, you will be me during my stay in Qalagon. Make sure that you're not caught. No one should find out that I'm not in Jerivia. Otherwise, we will be in big trouble."

"But Commander - "

"Everything is already decided, Jolene." Then she turned to Zire. "Work together in strengthening our soldiers. I can only return after you are well prepared for war. This is an order."

"We will obey your order." Zire and Jolene firmly replied in unison.

The Commander nodded and turned to her right-hand man. "Rion."

"Yes, Commander."

"You will go with me as the Princess guard. According to the Qalagons, Princess Iria Aventine is a well sheltered Princess. I will be able to use my skills in secret only. So, I will rely on you a lot."

"I understand, Commander!" Rion firmly replied.

Then the four discussed the plans to train and mobilize soldiers in the upcoming months and even planned about how to communicate in secret after the Commander departs for Qalagon.

* * *

Commander Iria stood next to the carriage which she will use for her journey to Qalagon. Even though Qalagon was their neighbouring Kingdom, the journey will take at least five days.

Some Ministers along with the Royal family are also present. But only the royal family members and a very few most trusted Ministers of the King knows that she's not the Princess as she wore a veil. Besides, she also dressed up like a Princess.

Jolene came disguising as her, wearing the mask which the Commander always wore. Zire cannot come because it would arouse suspicion. The same goes for Rion as everyone knows that he was Commander Iria's right-hand man. People will find it strange if he goes with the Princess; so he will wait outside the capital and joined them.

Crown Prince Zaro and the King hugged her and bid her farewell while the others wished her a safe journey. Prince Orius only stood still, not making a move. A few soldiers and Minister Gerin will escort her all the way to Qalagon.

Then she gets inside the carriage and glanced at the palace again for one last time.

"Goodbye, Jerivia." She bid goodbye to the Kingdom which she loved with all her heart, the Kingdom which she used to protect with her life.....