Arin Helev was on his way back to the tent with a troubled mind and a heavy heart. He wasn't even sure what made him felt this way.

Was it because of the fact that his father knew everything all along?

Was it because of the words his father said to the Queen?

Lastly, what was he supposed to do after being stuck in such a situation?

He blankly maintained his pace with his mind fully occupied. When he halted without much thought, he let out a breath.

Ever since he was young, he always knew what he was doing. However, this time, he didn't know how to move forward.

Morin, his father and... the Queen. Did the King really think that he could save his family? According to Crown Prince Arin, that's not possible. Besides, he was at the end of his limits too. He was tired of sitting still, especially now that his wife was concerned.

But... what about Morin? It's the same old question that always holds him back.

"Why do you keep on standing there?"

He was more than startled when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. Quickly, he glanced around and saw Iria sitting a few steps away. She was looking at him with a confused face. Only then did he realized he was already standing inside the tent!

The moment he saw her face, what she said during the competition instantly crossed his mind. Why wouldn't she tell him anything and hinted that way?

Didn't she trust him enough?

Without saying anything, he narrowed his eyes and tried to clear his thoughts. He was always good at holding back himself, too good that he was even regarded as an aloof person but... he finds it difficult to do that when it comes to this woman.

He just wanted to keep her safe. Was that a crime?

Then he finally looked up and forced a smile. "Dinner will be served soon but I'm afraid that you have to eat alone tonight. I need to go somewhere."

He only wanted to go somewhere and clear his mind. If not, he might lose control and he didn't want that to happen.

Without waiting for her response, he turned his back at her and tried to walk but...

"Is everything fine?" Iria asked as she rose from her seat.

Why did he act so strange? This wasn't like him.

Arin halted and stood still for a while until he turned around and faced her once more. "Yes, don't worry. I will be back soon." He fainted a smile and walked out of the tent in a hurry.

Staring at the disappearing form of the Crown Prince, Iria felt perplexed.

Did something happen? Why did he behave like that?!

Though she tried to be still, anxiety got the best of the Commander. As such, she walked out of the tent and tried to ride a horse to follow him and check what's wrong. She was about to mount the horse until...

"Your Highness."

She quickly turned to the right where she heard the voice. Klaus Ermias was standing a few steps away and slightly smiling, he was walking towards her.

"Are you going somewhere?"

Iria briefly glanced at Arin who was just out of her sight. Then she turned back to Klaus Ermias. "Not anymore."

Captain Klaus was now standing just two steps opposite her and he bowed. "Did I disturb you?" he asked.

"No," Iria replied and glanced at his injured shoulder. "How is your injury, Captain Klaus?"

The Captain slightly smiled when he heard her question. "It's getting better, Your Highness. I will completely recover in a few days."

Iria Alewine stared at his injured shoulder for a while. Then her lips thinned. "I don't think that's the case."

Klaus Ermias raised a brow and looked down at his shoulder. When he saw the little blood in his clothes, he quickly turned back to the Crown Princess. "I -"

"You should just rest at the camp rather than worsening the wound by staying here," Iria remarked.

"All I do is walking around and watch the tournament. It isn't much different," the Captain replied.

"Seems like you don't know the difference between partial rest and complete rest. Walking around here and there caused a movement to your shoulder. That's the reason why you're bleeding right now," Iria uttered. Somehow, her voice was cold and it made the Captain raised a brow.

"You seem to know about injuries well," he remarked with his gaze never leaving her.

Was he observing her or... was he feeling amused by her? Even he didn't know the answer.

This mysterious Crown Princess kept on surprising him and made his curiosity grew more and more each day.

"Whatever, you should go and let the doctor check on your wound. It's not good to walk around in that condition," Iria said and tried to return to the tent but...

"You also have plenty of knowledge, Your Highness. Can you do that for me?"

Iria glanced at the bold Captain standing before her. He asked her to attend to his wound? A mere Captain would never dare to make such a request to the Crown Princess!

Just who was this man?

Maybe her doubts were right. There was something more to this man but she had no idea what it might be.

"Why would I do that?"

"I got this injury while saving you."

"..."

"That's not what I mean, Your Highness. I only want to prove something," the Captain quickly clarified.

Iria's once calm face was slowly replaced by doubt and she kept on staring at the mysterious Captain.

What made him so daring?

Many possibilities crossed the Commander's mind. She felt like this Captain had hidden intention but she can't figure out what it might be.

Taking a step towards him, she observed, according to her, his seemingly innocent face. "Who are you?" she asked. "What is your intention?"

Klaus Ermias stared at her with a perplexed face. "What do you -"

"You're too daring and bold for a mere Captain," Iria promptly said which shut him up. "Just who are you?"