Jolene and Zire walked inside the royal court when their arrival was announced. Making their way to the throne, they halted a few steps away and kneeled before the King of Jerivia.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" They said in unison.

King Tobias remembered all the three trusted subordinates of Commander Iria, so he didn't need an introduction and quickly spoke to them. "Your messenger told me that Commander Iria sent a letter. What is it about?"

"Your Majesty, our Commander ordered us to relay the contents of the letter. As she is in an enemy kingdom, she couldn't write to you directly because she must use the secret alphabet that she created. So, she asked us to apologize to you on her behalf." Jolene respectfully said to the King with her head lowered.

"I understand her situation, so there's no need to apologize." King Tobias said in a calm voice. He was always patient when it comes to Iria.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." It was Zire who spoke up this time. "According to our Commander, Crown Prince Arin Helev said that he is serious about the alliance marriage. The Qalagon Crown Prince said that he wants peace and it's not just a cover."

King Tobias and Crown Prince Zaro along with the two Ministers present on the royal court were all stupefied by the Commander's message! They surely heard that it was just a cover!

"Explain." The King commanded.

"It's an internal conflict in the royal family of Qalagon," Jolene said. "Our Commander said that the Queen of Qalagon wants to place her son, the younger Prince on the throne. She spread the false rumour to create problems for the Crown Prince. Commander said that she personally heard the argument between the Queen and the Crown Prince."

King Tobias clenched his fist and lightly patted the armrest of his throne repeatedly.

"Your Majesty." The Prime Minister of Jerivia who was standing on the right spoke up and bowed to the King. "Queen Lorey Helev of Qalagon is the second wife of King Regan Helev. The Crown Prince is not her biological son. So, I think Commander Iria has a point. The Queen might deem the Crown Prince as a thorn in her flesh."

"Are you saying that we fell into the trap of the Qalagon Queen?" King Tobias said in a cold voice and the Prime Minister bowed his head, not daring to answer the King.

King Tobias rose from his seat and slowly walked back and forth in the platform while Crown Prince Zaro stared at his troubled father. Zaro's mind went blank too!

"What else did Iria said?" The King finally asked the two soldiers, halting his movement and turning his head to them.

"Commander said that she will wait for your decision and do as whatever you decide," Zire responded to the King.

"Your Majesty, this is not a trivial matter. I beg you to consider it carefully. We aren't even sure of this matter." The Minister of War who was standing on the left said to the King.

King Tobias darted his eyes to his Minister. "Do you doubt what Commander Iria reported?" His voice was cold and intimidating at the same time.

"That's not what I meant, Your Majesty." The Minister of War promptly said.

"I trust in Commander Iria's loyalty. She is the one who always makes the biggest sacrifice for our kingdom, so I don't want to hear words that doubt her." King Tobias firmly declared.

"Zaro." He turned to look at his son who was sitting still with a troubled face. "What is your opinion?"

The Crown Prince looked at his father and rose from his seat. "Father, I have no doubt in what Iria says. However, we mustn't allow her to stuck there forever. Even if the Crown Prince of Qalagon is serious about the alliance marriage, with the Queen lurking around, problems will arise between us sooner or later. If that happens, Commander Iria will be in trouble."

Jolene and Zire secretly sighed in relief when they heard the Crown Prince. As always, Zaro Aventine never said anything that would work against their Commander.

King Tobias stared at his son until he nodded in satisfaction. "Good, Zaro. You think of the long run rather than just focusing on the present. That's what the heir apparent should do."

Crown Prince Zaro slightly smiled. "Thank you, Father."

The King nodded and turned to his two Ministers. "Do you have any opposition?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"The Crown Prince is right."

Finally, King Tobias turned to the two soldiers. "Relay my decision to Commander Iria. She is my most capable General and I will never allow her to stuck in Qalagon forever. Serious or not, the Qalagons spread the rumors. So, we will follow the original plan. Once everything is ready, she will return to Jerivia."

"Rather than letting her stay in Qalagon forever, we will fight the Qalagons many times if necessary." He firmly declared.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Hearing his father's decision, Crown Prince Zaro secretly sighed in relief. He hoped that this wouldn't make Iria wavered as he knew how much she wanted peace.

However, Jerivia couldn't lose her. The Alewine Army needed her and... he didn't want to part with her forever.

*

After the court was dismissed, Crown Prince Zaro went to his sister, Princess Iria's room. Checking her condition once in a while had become his daily routine.

When he entered the room, he saw his younger brother Prince Orius much to his surprise. It's his first time witnessing Orius visiting Iria though the two were twins!

"Orius, you're here?" He said as he approached the Prince who was sitting beside the bed.

Prince Orius heard his elder brother's voice but... he didn't even make an attempt to look at him. For a few seconds, he stared at his twin sister and then rose from his seat.

Crown Prince Zaro raised a brow. "You're leaving? Why don't you stay longer? If you want, I can come back later."

"There's no need." Orius Aventine muttered and walked past his brother but...

"You rarely come here, Orius. Iria is your twin sister and you should at least take care of her while she is sick. You know Iria is very fond of you." Crown Prince Zaro calmly said, staring at his younger brother's back.

Orius clenched his fist but he didn't even face Zaro when he said, "Someone like me is not capable of doing that. You should do it." Then he walked out of the room right away.

Zaro stared at the disappearing form of his brother and let out a sigh. He's still the same.....