"It's your first time in Zoris. So, how was the journey like?" King Regan Helev asked Iria.
Both the King and Queen along with Arin, Iria and Prince Morin were in the dining hall of the main palace, having dinner all together.
"It's beautiful and the people there are kind. So, I have a good time," Iria responded to the King.
"You took notice of the people's kindness and I think that's a good thing." King Regan paused and said, "A great kingdom tends to lose its power soon if it is dominated by tyrants. We should always keep this in mind."
"I will remember that," Iria simply said. When she looked at King Regan's face, she was reminded of the story that Arin told her.
Just like the Crown Prince, the King was never the type to talked too much or expressed himself. It made Iria wondered what kind of feelings would be buried in his heart. Did he love his current wife? Or... was he still stuck in the shadow of his first wife? Nevertheless, King Regan never showed anything. She wondered what might be the reason.
"Do you face any problems during your journey?" It was Queen Lorey who asked the question this time and it was directed to Arin and Iria.
Arin thought of the spy his guards caught in the Zoris palace. That was the Queen's person yet he refused to say anything about it. Morin was also with them and he never wanted to create a scene when his younger brother was present. "No. Everything went well." He replied. He tried his best to control himself but his tone still hinted of coldness.
pαпdα Йᴏνê|,сòМ Meanwhile, Iria was thinking of the mysterious collaboration between Queen Lorey and Prince Orius. She wondered if the Queen knows the real identity of the Jerivian Prince! What did the Queen want to know? If the spy was caught as planned or... if Orius managed to become the guard in the Crown Prince's palace?
When the dining hall was very quiet, 12-year-old Prince Morin was the first to speak up. As a boy with a pure heart who had no idea about the conflict between his mother and older brother, he was still as carefree as ever.
"Brother, take me with you when you visit Zoris again. I'm bored of staying in the palace all day long." The little Prince whined and stared at his brother with a hopeful smile.
Hearing his younger brother's words, Crown Prince Arin Helev who was trying his best to stay put shifted his gaze to him. His expression was a bit softened when he looked at his face. Then he nodded. "Okay. Do you practice while I was gone?"
"Of course. I think I will be able to hit bull's eye soon. I won't even need a week now." Prince Morin reported his archery skills to his older brother with a proud smile and this made Arin smiled.
"That's great. Then I will see it for myself tomorrow." He calmly said.
Prince Morin repeatedly nodded with an exciting smile before he continued with his dinner.
When Iria saw the innocent smile on the little Prince's face, she understood what Arin said. If Morin Helev ever loses that precious smile due to the conflict between his mother and older brother, it would be too hard for the Crown Prince who was too soft for his only sibling. He won't be able to endure it!
Rather than making him lose the pure smile, Arin was trying his best to fend himself from the Queen's attack and never talked about it. He never made a move as the Queen did, only to let his brother stay this carefree and happy! If Arin ever decided to make a move, it won't be hard for him to end the Queen yet he decided not to.
Was the Queen not worry about her son at all?!
*
"I can feel how much you try to stay put during dinner," Iria said to Arin when they were on their way back to the Crown Prince's palace.
After Arin told his father about their visit to Zoris and King Feric's condition, he rarely spoke unless Morin talked to him. Iria didn't fail to notice the invisible yet heavy tension between the Queen and the Crown Prince.
"I'm the type to stay quiet when feeling angry. I don't want to lose control and staying quiet is always the most effective method for me," Arin said. Though his voice was very calm compared to before, Iria knew right away that he was still struggling to stay put.
"That day when I sneak out, you find me in the market in the evening but you maintained your silence until night. I think I just know why," she pointed out. She still remembered how she wished for him just to scold her if he was feeling angry! His silence was not easy to endure!
Arin halted his steps when he heard her and Iria looked up at him with a confused face. "I was worried that day and after a while, it turned into anguish. My mother always taught me not to act while my mind isn't clear. That way, there will be less regret in my life.
"Besides, I was afraid that if I get angry at you for sneaking out, you will raise your guard against me even higher. All you wanted was a bit of freedom and not creating problems. I understand that much."
Iria recalled how he had a chat with her calmly that night. It won't be easy. She admitted that. "I don't think I will be able to be that patient." She muttered.
Arin Helev smiled and they both started walking again. "I think you're right. Unlike me, you easily get annoyed and irritated. It won't be hard to provoke you."
Iria frowned at his remark and he pointed at her face. "That's what I'm talking about." He chuckled, feeling amused. She had become more and more predictable!
Iria Alewine sighed in defeat. "I think you love to make fun of others." She bluntly remarked with a displeased face.
"I don't think so. No one has ever said that to me," Arin simply replied. Unlike her, he was so far from feeling offended!
"Who would dare to say that to the Crown Prince?" She retorted. Was he dumb? Did he really think people around him will have the audacity to tell him that?! The fact that he never behaved this way to others, except her didn't even cross Commander Iria's mind!
"You always say that," Arin mused. "Why are you always so brave?" He asked and shook his head in amusement. She appeared fragile and soft but he always had a feeling that she was more daring than she looked!
Even now, he thought that she was a mystery which was more than hard to solve! Was this even her real self? He was never this curious!
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