"Commander Nico." Crown Prince Arin nodded once at the young Commander. "You finally showed up."

The Commander of the Petrus Army slightly smiled as he lowered his head. "If Your Highness wish to see me, you should inform me. I will surely come right away." He nodded to General Elian and the latter quickly walked away to give them some privacy.

"I heard that you're out of the Kingdom for a while," Crown Prince Arin responded. "I don't know whether you return or not."

"Then I should apologize. I travel for personal matters and that's why I don't inform anything to the royal court," Nico Petrus explained.

"It's fine. Shall we go and sit down somewhere to talk?" The Crown Prince asked, slightly tilting his head.

"If that's the case, can I suggest visiting your tent?" Commander Nico requested and the Crown Prince slightly raised a brow. "It's been more than a month but I haven't greeted the Crown Princess," he promptly explained.

"I'm not sure. The Crown Princess isn't feeling well." Arin paused when he recalled the sight he witnessed before. He was sure that he saw Iria standing on the other entrance of the ground. Then he nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

With that said, the two men made their way towards the tent of the couple.

*

Iria Alewine was taken aback when Arin brought someone inside the tent. She observed the guest and after some thinking, she recognized him as the Commander of the Petrus Army. She had fought against him once while serving as the second-in-command of the Alewine Army under her father 4 years ago.

She was sitting on her bed but when she saw the two men making their way towards her, she stood on her feet much to the Crown Prince's displeasure.

When Nico Petrus was two or three steps away, he halted and bowed to show his respect to the Crown Princess. "Greetings, Your Highness. It's my first time greeting you. I'm Nico Petrus, the Commander of the Petrus Army."

"Commander Nico wished to greet you. That's why I brought him here," Arin Helev promptly explained.

Iria nodded at Arin and then shifted her gaze back to the Commander. "Nice to meet you, Commander Nico."

When the young Commander lifted his head, Iria met his gaze. Olive green eyes... where did she hear before?

The cold and serious vibe the Commander gave off was no joke! It instantly made Iria understood why the people often compared this young man to the Crown Prince. They gave off the same vibe and... it made her wondered what the inside of this man would be like.

Will he have a hidden golden heart just like Arin Helev?

He might not be as distant as he appeared to be.

"I was absent at the wedding as I travelled for personal matters but I heard many rumors about you, Your Highness. I just realized that you are more beautiful than what the rumors said," Nico Petrus remarked.

"I also heard many rumors about you, Commander Nico. I'm glad that we finally met," Iria said out of courtesy. Somehow, she felt like the young Commander's gaze was too keen.

Was he observing her?

"I want to discuss something with Commander Nico. It won't be long, so don't mind us and rest." It was the Crown Prince who spoke up this time. He gestured for Iria to return to the bed.

Iria barely refrained from frowning at the Crown Prince. Not while having a guest!

"Alright," she muttered with much difficulty. When she sat on the bed again, the two men took a seat on the chairs which were a few steps away.

For a while, Iria stared at the Commander while trying to not make it too obvious. His features... she felt some sense of familiarity but she can't remember why.

After a while, Nico Petrus finally left and Arin quickly walked towards the bed. "Did you watch the final match? I think I saw you near the gate."

Iria Alewine recalled how she felt more than tempted to watch the Crown Prince's performance in the final. After many failed attempts to brush it off her mind, she walked out of the tent and watched him from that entrance.

"Yes," she replied, feeling quite awkward. "I came and took a brief look."

"Really?" the Crown Prince face lit up in an instant. "Then how was my performance?"

"Well... " Iria paused and looked up at his face. "Not bad."

There was an amusing smile on the Crown Prince's face when he heard her response. Not bad? No one had ever felt so reluctant to praise him!

Then he nodded his head. "That's good then." He briefly glanced at the outdoors before he turned back to Iria. "I need to help my father in the preparation for tomorrow's competition. I'll be back soon."

Arin Helev walked out of the tent and staring at his disappearing form, Iria shook her head. She should just stay in the tent. Why must she go to watch him?!

* * *

The sixth day passed by with several competitions taking place. Two of them were archery for 18 and above and spear fighting. Crown Prince Arin participated in the former while General Hanson Lorin participated in the latter. They both were crowned the winner.

Some other competitions also took place and the winners were mostly from the Royal Army and the Petrus Army.

Now, it was the seventh and final day. As they did each year, the final day was wholly dedicated to a hunting competition. Each participant had different symbols curved in their arrows so that it would be easier to determine the winner at the end of the day.

"Are you sure of this?"

Sitting on the table inside the tent, Arin stared at Iria who was busy getting prepared for the hunting competition.

Iria paused her movement and turned around to look at Arin. "I heard that it's a custom to participate for every royal above 18. It's my first time and I should comply with the custom. I don't want any useless rumors." She paused and added, "Besides, my archery skill is pretty good. You know that."

"But you just recovered. You shouldn't tire out yourself so soon," Arin argued. He slowly walked towards Iria and stood in front of her, his gaze urging her to think twice.

"I'll be fine. Even the Queen will be participating. If I don't participate despite being the younger one, it will only create trouble. I want a peaceful atmosphere," Iria stated.

Arin observed her and when he noticed the determination in her gaze, he let out a sigh. "Alright. However, as per the rules, you are allowed to bring some guards though they can't help you in hunting. So, you should bring Rion and Davian with you. If not, you won't participate."

Iria simply nodded. "I'm fine with it. You should be careful too."

She knew what he worried about and she also knew that hunting was the best occasion if someone wanted to harm anyone. Considering what happened in the Garetth Forest, she wasn't safe but... the same goes for Arin.....