Alena Varia was taken aback by Crown Prince Emor's behaviour towards the Masked Commander.

Why was he always acting strange whenever that woman was around? Above all, why was he always so patient with her? He even just stood still when she slapped him last time!

It's already strange enough when the Crown Prince brought up hunting to the Jerivian King. Even his injury just a week ago haven't healed yet!

"Theo, don't you think His Highness is acting strange whenever the Masked Commander is concerned?" she asked Theo who was riding a horse right beside her.

Though she was the only friend of Emor Tripas, Theo was the one who stayed beside him during the past years. So, he should know him better than her, right now.

"There is a reason," Theo whispered. "You should ask His Highness yourself."

Reason? Alena was feeling quite confused. Whatever the reason was, why did she felt like Emor liked that Commander?

She knew him ever since they were a child and... the Emor Tripas she knew never want people to be close to him like that. But now, it was evident that he was the one holding her back while she can't wait to ditch him.

What had gotten into him? She truly wished to know.

Meanwhile, Emor Tripas repeatedly glanced at the Commander who was riding her horse beside him. Though he knew that she never once exchanged his gaze, there was a subtle smile on his lips.

"You once told me that saving the lives of others while risking theirs is for someone brave with a golden heart. It just occurred to me that you're that kind of person," the Nardodian Crown Prince remarked.

"Don't talk like you know me," Iria Alewine replied in a pretty cold voice. "You have never witnessed my other side and if you ever witnessed it, I can assure you that you won't like it."

"I'm well aware of that," Emor Tripas said with a little smile. Did he think that they were having a casual chat or what?

"I know that the Masked Commander will have a cruel side. That's a given," he added.

"Will you stop looking at me?" Iria Alewine snorted as she suddenly halted her horse.

Why won't he stop staring at her? She hated that!

"I'm just glad to see you again," Emor Tripas replied as he halted his horse too. Much to the surprise of the Masked Commander, there was a little apologetic smile on his face.

When he departed for Jerivia a few days ago, he thought about the chance of him meeting her again. She wasn't Princess Iria and he had no idea of her identity at that time. He was shocked when she was introduced to him as the Masked Commander but above all, he was happy to see her again.

She was fooled once. She didn't know what to believe anymore. However, when she recalled their conversation that night, she thought that it was strange.

What does he mean when he said that none of this would have happened if it was up to him? Was he doing everything out of his will?

Who forced him?

The current King of Nardodia, Aryan Tripas, the former Duke of Borland?

She didn't have any better assumption.

"Didn't you come here to hunt?" she finally spoke up and started riding her horse again while Emor Tripas followed suit.

"That's just an excuse. I'm never interested in hunting," he simply replied and turned to her. "Just help me explore this forest today."

Commander Iria nodded with a blank face. Still, she was quite happy that she didn't have to hunt. She hated it, for real. However, exploring was one thing that she never got tired of.

*

It was an afternoon in the Amlant Forest. The Commander and the Nardodian Crown Prince get off their horses to take a break. After all, they had been exploring this vast forest for more than 2 hours.

When Emor Tripas offered his flask to the Commander, the latter ignored him and grabbed her own flask. Then she sat down on the ground with her back pressing against the trunk of a tree. The Crown Prince flashed a little smile and sat beside her but at least, two feet away.

"Emor, you already move your muscles for too long. You should apply some more ointments if you want to continue exploring this forest." It was Alena who was reminding the Crown Prince. Standing before him, she glanced down at her friend with concern.

Commander Iria shifted her gaze to the Nardodian Crown Prince, confused. "You're injured?" she inquired.

"It's not serious. I can take care of it once we return to the palace," Emor Tripas said, glancing back and forth at his friend and the Commander.

Iria Alewine observed him just for a split second. Then she reached out her right hand to him and squeezed his left shoulder just a bit. This alone was enough to make Emor Tripas winced in pain.

"What are you doing?!" Alena Varia exclaimed. Her gaze was now shifted to the Masked Commander from her friend.

Iria Alewine withdrew her hand and replied, "Checking if he's telling the truth." She turned her head away and added, "He's lying. The wound is serious."

"Emor," Alena muttered when she turned back to her friend. The Crown Prince was gently holding his left shoulder when he looked up at her.

"It's just for one or two more hours, Alena. Don't worry too much," Emor Tripas assured his friend, forcing a little smile.

She knew he would say that but.... that wasn't what bothered her the most.

The Masked Commander can touch him? Just what was this?!

After standing still for a while, she decided to inquire him about it later and walked away.

"As someone who can't tolerate other's touch, you get injured quite often," Iria Alewine remarked, briefly shifting her gaze back to the Nardodian Crown Prince.

"That's not the choice we can make," Emor Tripas replied. "Accidents can happen anytime." When how he got injured crossed his mind, his fake smile slowly faded and it didn't go unnoticed. At least, under the keen gaze of the Masked Commander.

This only made her more troubled and... suspicious too. Then an idea suddenly crossed her mind.

"Can you show me your wound?"