Zaro Aventine stood frozen in his place. His eyes grew wide opened in shock due to what the Commander mumbled.

Arin? As in Arin Helev?

He wanted to turn around and look at Iria but... he can't find the strength to do that! Feeling confused yet troubled, he ended up hardly squeezing his clothes.

For the first time, the dream which he holds on to for years shattered right before his eyes yet there was nothing he could do.

What place did the Qalagon Crown Prince had in her heart for her to plead him not to leave while she was drunken asleep?

The question repeatedly echoed in Zaro's ears and pressure invaded his whole body in the blink of an eye!

Did what he feared really come true?

When all the assumptions were too much for him, Zaro Aventine finally braced himself and turned around. When his gaze landed on Iria who seemed to be peacefully sleeping now, an unneglectable pain was formed in his heart.

"Iria... " he murmured in a very low voice which even he could barely hear.

Was Arin Helev the reason why she was acting strange ever since she returned from Qalagon?

Did she love him?

His muscles tense at the mere thought of it! It was the scariest feeling for him, the Crown Prince of Jerivia!

When he couldn't bear to look at her anymore, he suddenly turned around and stormed out of the room and then the mansion. He returned to the palace in such a hurry that he resembled a fugitive who ran away for his life!

*

It was already quite late at night when Crown Prince Zaro heard the sound of knocking on the door to his chamber. The Crown Prince was alone in the huge chamber and he hasn't stepped out at all since he returned to the palace right before sunset.

"Come in."

Just as he expected, it was Derin who walked inside the chamber. He was his right-hand man and the chief of his guard.

"Your Highness." Derin respectfully bowed before the Crown Prince who was sitting on the couch near the door to the balcony.

"What's the matter?" The Crown Prince's gaze was already focused on the dark outdoors and his face was unreadable.

"You didn't show up to have dinner. His Majesty is worried and he wants me to check on you," Derin informed the Crown Prince.

"I ate with Commander Iria right before I returned to the palace. I'm not hungry," Zaro Aventine replied without much thought. "Tell my father not to worry."

"Yes, Your Highness," Derin promptly replied. However, when he looked at the Crown Prince, he could tell that something was amiss. He had served him for too long not to notice that.

"It's late, Your Highness. Today, His Majesty planned hunting with the Crown Prince of Nardodia. It will take place tomorrow but only the royals and a few officials will participate. So, please have some rest. You will need energy for that."

Hunting? Why so sudden?

"I'm not interested," Zaro Aventine shrugged.

"I guess Commander Iria will also participate," Derin quickly said.

Zaro Aventine finally shifted his gaze to his right-hand man. "Didn't you say just the royals and officials?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, Your Highness. But the Crown Prince of Nardodia specially requested His Majesty to let Commander Iria participate," Derin replied.

Iria didn't like hunting. She deemed it as a waste of time.

Zaro Aventine instantly knew that Iria won't be happy to hear this. However, she won't have a choice if the King asked her to participate.

"Got it. You can go now."

With that said, Derin bowed and walked out of the Crown Prince's chamber.

Crown Prince Emor Tripas.

What the drunk Iria said to him crossed Zaro's mind.

Just what did he want?

However, before he could even think further, Iria calling the name of the Qalagon Crown Prince in her sleep crossed his mind again.

It made Zaro Aventine wondered what his standing was in all this mess.

The Crown Prince of Qalagon and then the Crown Prince of Nardodia.

What was he supposed to do? What would be the best decision? And most importantly, what was Iria's true feeling?

He really wished to know the answer to these questions.

* * *

When Iria Alewine woke up the next morning, she felt like her head was about to explode. She slowly pushed herself up and sat on her bed.

Just how much did she drink yesterday... evening?

With widened eyes, she quickly glanced around and noticed that it was already morning. Then she let out a sigh and covered her eyes. She should have listened to Zaro and not drink too much.

With a head this heavy, it will be so tormenting to spend a busy day!

She tried to recall what happened when she was drunk and all she could recall was how she talked about that traitor to Zaro. However, she soon noticed that she was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She should take a bath and get rid of the stench alcoholic smell.

After she took a bath and changed into more comfortable clothes, she heard the sound of knocking on her door. A servant walked inside with a tray that holds a cup of honey water. The Commander took the cup and drink it without asking anything.

Iria Alewine knew most of the faces and names of the servants in her mansion as they weren't many. However, she didn't communicate with them unless she had a question.

When her father died 3 years ago, the butler who used to look after her since she was young became the only one whom she could rely on in her own mansion. However, the butler passed away a year later and it was more than hard for her to get it through. So, she refused to get close to any of the servants again.

She wanted to prevent herself to not suffer the same thing. As such, she was rarely home.

While she was still holding the cup, another servant informed her that a messenger came from the palace. She quickly placed the cup back on the tray and walked out to meet the messenger.

When the messenger who was a soldier saw the Masked Commander, he got down on one knee to greet her. "Greetings, Commander. I came here on the order of His Majesty."

"Go ahead."

"His Majesty will prepare a hunting today. The Crown Prince of Nardodia will also be participating in the event and Crown Prince Emor specially asked for your participation to His Majesty."

Iria Alewine clenched her fist, trying hard not to show anything.

What did he want this time?!

"So, His Majesty wants you to participate in the event. It will take place right after breakfast."

Though she wasn't bad at hunting, she wasn't a fan of the event. However, she can't turn down the King. That's a given.

"Inform His Majesty that I will be there."

"I understand. Then I'll take my leave, Commander." The soldier gets back on his feet. Then he bowed before he turned around and left the mansion.

The moment she was alone, Commander Iria shut her eyes and clenched her fist even tighter.

Klaus Ermias or whatever his name was... it seemed like he will be such a pain in the neck during his stay here.....