The sight he witnessed broke Crown Prince Arin's heart.

Iria was sitting there without any movement but... her gaze was in the direction where the Jaria Mountains were located. It was dark and it was clear that the mountains wouldn't be visible anymore yet she didn't even attempt to turn away!

Did she wish to return this much? Was that why she was here, staring at the mountains of Jerivia, unfazed by the heavy rain?

Her pale face and her eyes that were barely opened... she appeared so hopeless! For Arin Helev who had never witnessed her in this state, the scene was enough to create a stinging pain in his heart.

Losing no more time, he rushed to her and bent his knees beside her. Then he reached out his hands to her with a bit of reluctance. "Iria, what are you doing here? It's raining." His voice contained a hint of desperation.

When Iria Alewine felt the Crown Prince's hands on her upper arm, she narrowed her eyes at his hands before she slowly turned her head to him. Seeing Arin's face draw her tears again but they were instantly washed away by the pouring rain.

"I will bring you back. You will be sick if you continue sitting here in the cold ground," Arin muttered with concern and tried to make her stand up but... Iria holds his hand tightly.

Arin looked at her face and saw the fear and pain in her eyes. He felt lost. What should he do in such a situation? He was never good at consoling someone!

When he felt like he was left with no choice, he closed the gap between them and embraced her for the second time. "Everything will be fine. I'm here." His voice was gentle and assuring.

Iria felt him but she didn't make any movement. The side of her head was pressed against his broad chest. Though she appeared lifeless, her mind didn't stop functioning.

Arin Helev embraced her and for the first time since her father's death, she felt like she had someone to rely on! The feeling was so warm to the point where she was lost in it.

In the past, many people and even the kingdom relied on her yet she never had anyone to rely on. She always tried to be strong... alone. And now, his embrace comforted her and gave her some strength but... it only made her pitied herself.

Why was her life so cold? Did she live a meaningless life until now? She protected many people but... why can't she do the same for her friend?!

Standing a few steps away, Rion was taken aback by the scene he witnessed! He knew that his Commander wasn't herself right now, but still... she was never the type to let someone touch her like that!

Did his Commander perhaps... feel something for the Qalagon Crown Prince? He quickly shook his head and told himself that it was a ridiculous assumption!

His Commander won't do that.

"Come. I will take you home," Arin Helev murmured after maintaining his silence for a while. Then he carried Iria and stood up.

"I will bring her back to the palace. The camp will be cold and it's not good for her current condition," he said to the two guards who were watching his every action.

"But Your Highness -"

"Return to the camp and inform my father about this. He and General Hanson can handle the work in my place," Arin quickly said to Antony when the latter was about to say something.

Understanding that the Crown Prince had already made up his mind, Antony bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

"You should return to the palace with me, Rion," Arin said and narrowed his eyes at Iria who was now unconscious. "She might be more comfortable with having a familiar face around."

Rion was surprised by the Crown Prince's thoughtfulness. Nevertheless, he didn't show anything and bowed.

Then they all went down the mountains with the Crown Prince carrying Iria in his arms.

* * *

While the royal doctor was examining the Crown Princess's condition, the Crown Prince was sitting beside her bed. All the time, his gaze was fixated on his wife who hasn't regained her consciousness yet. Rion was also standing a few steps away with all his attention focused on the Commander.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Her Highness will be fine. I will prepare some medicines for her to reduce her fever. Her body is exposed to the cold for too long and after staying warm for a while, she will get better," the royal doctor said to the Crown Prince who didn't seem to be fine at all.

"Thank you," Crown Prince Arin muttered as he briefly looked up at the doctor.

"Not at all, Your Highness. I will go and prepare the medicine," the doctor said as he bowed and left the Crown Princess's chamber.

For a while, silence occupied the huge chamber. Staring at Iria, Arin couldn't forget that lifeless face he witnessed in the Blue Mountains. No matter how much he tried to brush it off his mind, he failed again and again.

When he brought her to the mountains that day, he never saw this coming. Now that it happened, he somehow regretted it.

"How long have you stayed beside her?" Crown Prince Arin asked Rion when he noticed the concern on the guard's face. It was evident that he truly worried about the Crown Princess.

Rion quickly shifted his gaze from the Commander to the Crown Prince when he heard his question. "It's been 10 years," he responded with his head lowered.

"That means you grew up together," Arin murmured. He looked at Iria who was lying on the bed and said, "It must be hard for you too. You care about her a lot."

Rion didn't say anything and only stared at the Crown Prince. Did he truly care about his Commander? Did he... love her?!

That would be a disaster!

Rion couldn't think further as the next question of the Crown Prince instantly snapped him out of his thoughts.

"The friend of hers who passed away... " Arin muttered and shifted his gaze back to Rion. "Who is she? Is she that important to Iria?"

If she was this affected by her friend's death, then it won't be just a simple friend. This made the Crown Prince curious.....