Iria Alewine sat still in one corner of the cell where she was locked up. Though her heart was experiencing the most excruciating pain, she refused to show anything in her face.

She gave him the chance and he refused to grab it. Why would she torment herself for that?

Orius who must be on his way to Qalagon crossed the Commander's mind. The King will surely send his men to chase him.

Will he be alright?

She didn't know how long had she stayed in this cell but even when she thought of other things, her conversation with Zaro Aventine always bounced back to her.

How could one change to that extent in just a short time?!

The Commander narrowed her eyes at her empty wrist. "I don't even have the protection anymore," she murmured to herself.

Will she get the chance to see him again? She believed that she will if Orius succeeded.

Through a ray of sunlight that entered her cell, Iria Alewine could tell that it was afternoon now. She had been there for half a day. She stared at the lock on the door of her cell. It won't be that hard to escape if she really wished to. However, that will only put her in more trouble as she can't just leave like Orius.

She still had things to do here.

Iria Alewine heard the sound of footsteps that were coming towards her cell. Was it a prison guard or some servant who brought food for her again? She looked at the food they brought a few hours ago which was still left untouched.

Did they serve this kind of luxurious food in a prison?

Finally, three people appeared before the door to her cell. However, the Commander didn't even bother to look at their faces. She sat there with her eyes shut.

One was a servant who brought another food for her and one was... the King while the last one was his right-hand man, Derin.

"Leave us," Zaro Aventine commanded and the two others quickly complied.

Commander Iria heard the voice which she was well familiar with. However, she refused to open her eyes or look at him. She already said what she had to say and he made his decision. Now, she had nothing for him.

Standing near the door, Zaro Aventine narrowed his eyes at the food which was still left untouched. He squeezed his clothes and turned to Iria who was sitting in one corner. "Why are you being like this?" he asked but... there was no response from his once 'best friend'.

"Iria... " he called out and shut his eyes. He stood still that way for a few seconds before he opened his eyes again. "You are only tormenting yourself," he said to her.

He didn't even deserve her response anymore but he had no idea about that. There was a hint of remorse in his voice and Iria knew that. But... what's the use of that? Everything already happened.

He was still the same man who ordered for her to be locked up in this cell.

Come to think of it, Iria Alewine realized that he was just like his father. He did many things that will break her while claiming that he cared for her. What a twisted father and son!

Their affection was never pure but selfish.

"Do you want me to give you a partner?" Zaro Aventine spoke up again and added, "What about Rion? I'm sure that he will also know everything."

At the mention of Rion, Commander Iria quickly opened her eyes and looked up at the King. Clenching her fists, she stood up and walked towards the door. "Just how much worse are you trying to get?" she asked him with contempt.

"If you don't want me to be worse, then you should stop acting this way," Zaro Aventine said to her. This time, his voice was calm but there was a hint of sincerity in it.

"You're wrong," the Commander pointed out. "Even if you become the worst, I don't really care now. However, if you lay a hand on the people that I love, I will make sure that you regret it."

"My action... you should know that it depends on you," the King uttered. "Even in the court meeting today, do you know that many officials can't wait to see you fall? If it wasn't for the Prime Minister and the Minister of War, you might already be punished!"

Iria Alewine turned around and sat on the corner again. "I used to think that you know me well but I was wrong again. You don't know me just like I don't know you." She paused and said, "Do you think I'm afraid of that? Even if I'm dead, I think it's better than staying here, in your kingdom."

Her last sentence shook Zaro to the core!

'In your kingdom?'

Did she, the Masked Commander really said that?!

"Remember this, Your Majesty," Iria said, meeting the gaze of the King. "I'm not afraid of death and I'm not that easy to kill either. I dare you to lay a hand on Rion or anyone who is precious to me. Then you will know how worse I can get."

With a little smirk, she added, "You're not the only one who is capable of changing. I can if needed. So, don't force me to do that. There are many sides in me which you have never witnessed before."

She always succeeded if she really put her mind to it and Zaro Aventine was well aware of that. He could see that she was drifting apart from him more and more but... he didn't know what to do.

He had never witnessed her this cold and cruel in the past and he took that for granted. Now, everything was wrong.

Without saying anything, he turned to his left and walked away from the cell.

Now that he was finally gone, Iria Alewine covered her eyes with her palms. She also never thought that there would come a day when she said such words to Zaro Aventine!

Once again, the uncertainty of life scared her.

Will everything went as planned?