"I cannot let His Majesty lead such a dangerous war," Iria firmly spoke up. "There should be a way to stop this."

"What way?" Prince Orius Aventine said. "We all know that there is no better choice for now. You have to be here in Qalagon and my father would never allow his successor to lead such a war. It's clear that King Rozalez thirst for revenge."

Iria recalled the war she leads a month ago. Why did she know nothing about the participation of the second Prince of Helsia? She finds it strange. Was the Prince in disguise?!

Then she thought of King Tobias. Though he favoured her and he was like an uncle to her, he was always firm. He rarely changed his mind once he made a decision but... how could she just sit back and watch when her King was in a dangerous situation?!

"Is there a way to meet His Majesty?" She finally broke her silence once again and looked up at Prince Orius. Though it was a seemingly impossible thing for now, she refused to give up without even trying.

"I don't think so," Orius replied and meet her gaze. When he noticed how troubled she was, the second news crossed his mind again. After hesitating for a while, he said, "Iria's condition is not good either. The royal doctor said that she won't make it." His voice was low and a mixture of grief and concern. It was rare coming from the second Prince of Jerivia!

Iria Alewine just heard the news she dreaded the most! The news about rebellion or war was bad but... this news was the worst! Her friend might not make it?

The fact that she was in Qalagon, being unable to do anything for her suffocated her! She was overwhelmed with fear right away!

What would be the next news they will receive? She didn't even want to think further!

Iria felt too lost. She didn't know what to do or what to say! For almost a minute, she stood there and covered her eyes with her palm. What if Princess Iria died while she was here in Qalagon?

Because people think that the Princess was in Qalagon for an alliance marriage, everything will need to be kept a secret and... it was too cruel for her friend! Princess Iria was the kindest person she ever knew and she didn't deserve any of this!

"Let's wrap up things here soon, Your Highness. I will also inform my soldiers to push forward the plan faster so that they will be ready for war soon. I must return to Jerivia as fast as possible." Her eyes hinted at determination and sincerity which the Prince didn't fail to notice.

"Do you mean that?" Prince Orius made a deliberate paused and asked, "Then what about Crown Prince Arin Helev?"

Iria's eyes flickered at the question but she regained her composure very soon. "I'm a subject of Jerivia and just like you said, I won't forget who I am. My purpose for coming here... matters to me the most." She paused and with much difficulty, she added, "Arin Helev is just an enemy whom I would face soon on the battlefield."

There was no response from Prince Orius Aventine. All he did was staring at Iria as if he was observing her. He noticed one thing right away - she was lying. She didn't feel that way. However, he feigned ignorance and maintained his silence.

He chose to believe in her. Even if Crown Prince Arin Helev mattered to her, the Iria Alewine he knew would never choose a man over her kingdom. That was impossible. She was more than loyal and he knew that.

If Commander Iria could abandon her kingdom because of a man, then everyone in Jerivia will be able to betray their kingdom. That's what the second Prince believed in.

"Alright," he finally muttered. "Let's try to do that."

* * *

The sun was about to set and Iria was alone in her chamber. She was still thinking of the things that Prince Orius told her and... the question he asked her. However, she refused to think much about the latter. She reminded herself that how she felt wasn't important. She should only think of her purpose for coming here and quietly leave Qalagon when it's time.

Just when Rion crossed her mind, the door to her chamber was knocked and it was none other than Rion who walked inside. He halted and bowed when he was a few steps away.

"How did it go?" She quickly asked her right-hand man.

"I followed him until he returned to the army camp. I can't go inside the camp but it seems like he is telling the truth, Commander. He is indeed a soldier," Rion reported.

"Which camp?" Iria promptly asked.

"The Royal Army."

It was the Army personally commanded by the Crown Prince himself and of course, the most prestigious and powerful army in Qalagon. Arin also spent the whole day at that camp.

"Are you still feeling wary, Commander? If that's the case..."

"That's not necessary for now," Iria promptly said, interrupting Rion. She knew her right-hand man too well and just now, she could tell right away that he was about to suggest killing that young man named Klaus Ermias. That's not what she wanted. "Let's be more cautious. That will do for now."

"I understand," Rion responded. "Do you have any other orders, Commander?"

Iria thought for a while and said, "Send a secret letter to Jolene and Zire. Tell them to push forward everything as fast as they can. We must return to Jerivia soon."

Rion raised a brow when he heard his Commander. Did something happen? However, he didn't question her about it and responded by saying, "I will do it right away." Then he bowed and quickly left the chamber with a troubled mind.

Iria sat still for a while and when she finds her situation too complicated and suffocating, she let out a breath and rose from her seat. Then the small garden that Arin showed her before, crossed her mind. She didn't even bother to think it twice and went straight there.

The calmness of the small garden was still the same and she liked it. Despite being someone who loves a calm and peaceful place, she spent too much of her time fighting wars and slashing her enemies.

Sometimes, she would sit down and narrowed her eyes at her hands. Just how many persons had met their demise in these hands? it might already be uncountable!

She sat on one of the two chairs in the garden and removed the gloves which she always wore ever since she came here. When she looked at her calloused hands which were the result of wielding a sword for years and the scars in it, she realized that she wasn't reminded much about them ever since she came to this Kingdom.

In the past, her rough hands would always remind her of all the souls that she crushed with these exact hands. She would often end up having nightmares and lost her sleep many times. However, that wasn't the case ever since she came here.

Was it because her gloves hide them all the time? Maybe because she didn't spend her time killing enemies or in the army camp.

Thinking of these things, she braced her arms and put in on the table. Then she placed her head in it. The comfortable and peaceful feeling provided by the place put her at ease and in no time, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.....