Iria Alewine was still confused at how things had turned out. The second Prince of Jerivia was trying to be a guard in the palace of a Qalagon Crown Prince! Did it make any sense?! Most importantly, was King Tobias aware of this? No father would want their son to do such an absurd and dangerous thing!
As of now, all the other guards left and only Antony was still in the chamber. Then he walked a step forward to Crown Prince Arin. "Your Highness, how will we deal with the spy?" He asked, respectfully.
Arin Helev didn't even ponder or hesitate for a split second when he commanded, "Kill him. Do it quietly so that the people here won't get a grasp of this matter."
"I understand, Your Highness." Antony bowed as he responded. Then he left the chamber right away.
Iria looked at the Crown Prince's face that was just blank with no expression. He appeared so soulless and cold-blooded right now! Then she understood what he said to her in the small garden. He once said that he wasn't kind or warm but cold-blooded. He may appear to be kind at times but in other times, he was different.
pαпdα-ňᴏνêι·сóМ Once again, she realized that was their common trait. They can really be merciless when dealing with enemies! Then one imagination crossed her mind - Crown Prince Arin Helev as an enemy which she must face. Why did she finds it... so dreary?!
"What are you thinking?"
She was snapped out of her thoughts by his voice. "It's nothing." She promptly said, briefly glancing at him.
"You said that often." Arin mused. Now, his cold and cruel demeanor was gone and he regarded her with a calm and pleasant face.
Iria didn't respond. She didn't know what to say. However, she imagined the day when they would become enemies. The pleasant face she witnessed now will surely be gone, right? That soulless and cold demeanor was what awaited her in the near future. That's a given but... why was she scared of that? No enemy had ever made her feel scared!
"I will be careful from now on so that you won't be in danger again." He said when she remained silent. His voice soft and sincere which made Iria wondered how many sides would he had in him. Kind, cruel, soft and tough; what else?
"You're also in danger. It's not just me." She finally said which made his lips twitched into a smile.
"Do you really think a mere guard will be able to pose a threat to me?" He asked, amused. "I'm cautious because you're here. If not, I don't have to fear anything."
She was his weakness. Was that what he was trying to say? Busy with her thoughts, she unconsciously fell silent again.
Arin took a step towards her and she raised a brow, surprised. Then he observed her and shook his head. "You have switched to the aloof mode again. I will be willing to pay any price to know what's on your mind." Rather than communicating with him, she used her thoughts more. That made him curious though he was never like that.
Knowing her mind? That would be too bad! "That would be the same as tying me down. I should at least be free to think whatever I want, right?"
Arin remained quiet though he never took his eyes off her. Then he finally said, "You're right." Pointing at the unusually huge bed, he continued, "You should rest now. It's late."
"What about you?"
He eyed at the long sofa on the right. "I'll sleep here."
"Why don't you sleep in the bed? I can -"
She fell silent when he gave her a stern look. However, his face softened again the very next second. "I'll be really glad if you just do it without arguing for once." He calmly said but Iria could feel that he was serious.
She nodded. "Alright then. Good night."
"Good night," Arin muttered and they both went to sleep.
All through the night, they made a failed attempt in falling asleep yet neither of them tried to get up. Four nights left but... they will soon be short of energy if each night became like this!
* * *
"I'm truly glad that you came, Arin. I have missed you a lot."
King Feric Amias was sitting on the bed with his head slightly turned to Arin Helev who was sitting beside his bed on the right. Though the King's face was lifeless and pale after battling an illness for more than a year, his eyes showed how pleased he was to meet the young man who he always treated as his own son.
"I should have come sooner. I'm sorry, Uncle Feric." Crown Prince Arin's face was full of concern for the King of Zoris. His gaze fixated on King Feric's tired yet calm face.
"Don't be. I hear a lot about you and I'm so proud of you." Feric Amias earnestly said before he turned to Iria who was sitting beside Arin. "I even get to see your wife. I think I can die in peace now."
Such a word surged the feeling of guilt in Iria's heart. She was just a fake! It made her wondered that it would be much better if the Qalagons weren't sincere just like the rumours said. They may be an enemy but... she was always a righteous person. She never wanted to play unfair. The more sincere Arin was, the more guilty she felt!
"Why did you say that? You won't die. There must be a way to save you." Arin uttered. He appeared to be anxious more than ever!
Despite the young Crown Prince's reaction, King Feric slightly shook his head with a smile. "I'm well aware of my condition, Arin. However, I'm not afraid or worried. Do you know why?" He asked Arin Helev and the latter shook his head.
"It's because when I look back at my life which already spanned for five decades, I don't have regrets. I do my best to give a better life to my people and my kingdom, I loved and protect my late wife until her last breath, I raised my only son to become a good successor and a fine man. I even witnessed him marry a kind-hearted and dignified young woman who will assist him in looking after our people with kindness."
He paused and holds Arin's hand. "I'm telling you this because I also want you to live that way. Make sure to live your life in a way that even if you were to die today, it will be without regret."
Arin understood what King Feric told him. He wanted him not to do anything that he would regret later. Ever since his mother passed away, it was Arin's aim to always live that way though it was never easy.
Then he nodded with a little smile. "I will have that carve in my heart, Uncle Feric."
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