Rion was struggling to answer the Crown Prince.
The friend in question? It was Princess Iria Aventine. What would he say to the Qalagon Crown Prince?
pαпᵈα-noνɐ1·сoМ He thought hard and carefully. What would be the best response?
"Yes," he finally spoke up. "They have known each other since birth."
"Was the friend from a noble family?" Arin Helev asked. According to him, Iria was the Princess of Jerivia and her friend since birth would be someone from a prestigious family.
Rion felt perplexed. If he lied and say yes, it won't be hard for the Crown Prince to find out that there wasn't any death from the nobles in Jerivia. The lie would be easily exposed.
While he was thinking of this, he noticed that Crown Prince Arin was already shifting his attention back to his Commander. He quickly looked at the bed and noticed something. Did the Commander wake up?
"Iria," Arin Helev promptly muttered. He stood up and bent down to have a closer look at his wife. "How are you feeling?"
Iria Alewine barely opened her eyes and though her vision was quite blurred, she noticed how the Crown Prince was glancing at her with concern. She felt dizzy and the pain she felt in her head was excruciating.
When she saw her surroundings, she realized that she was back in her chamber in the Crown Prince's palace. How did she return?
She recalled what happened and the last thing she remembered was herself leaning against the Prince's chest in the Blue Mountains.
After they heard the sound of the knocking on the door, the royal doctor came in with a bowl of medicine. When he was about to attend to the Crown Princess...
"Let me," Arin said and took the medicine from the doctor. He placed it near the bed and helped Iria to sit first.
Arin lifted the bowl of medicine again and blew a spoonful before he fed it to Iria. The latter was pretty obedient this time. However, she didn't say anything and only glanced at the Crown Prince as her last memory replayed in her mind.
"This will reduce your fever and keep you warm," Arin calmly said as he fed her another spoonful of the medicine. When his gaze met hers that were dimmer than ever, he felt tormented. He truly missed her usual gaze - calm yet composed.
Iria slowly glanced around and now that her vision was back to normal, she realized that the one standing a few steps away was Rion. When she noticed the concern in his face, she wanted to assure him but... she felt too weak.
"You still don't have dinner though it's almost midnight. You should at least have something to regain your strength. Some warm soup will do."
Iria shifted her gaze back to Arin when she heard his voice. She slightly opened her mouth to say something but...
"I will go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare the soup," Rion chimed in.
The Commander looked at her right-hand man and noticed his determined look. She realized that she had no choice but to give in. Rion was always obedient and loyal but when it concerned her safety and health, he was always the most stubborn ever!
When the Crown Prince nodded, Rion quickly walked out of the chamber.
"I heard that your friend died."
Iria Alewine darted her eyes to Arin as she was too surprised by his words.
"Davian and Rion told me," Arin quickly clarified when he noticed her flustered face. "I know it will be hard, so you don't have to act strong. Show it if you are in pain and cry when it's too much. If you were in Jerivia, it will surely be better but... " He paused and let out a breath. "Do you want me to take you there?"
Silence occupied the chamber and for a while, they didn't do anything but met each other's gaze. Arin was always patient but tonight, he was more patient than ever. When he saw her too broken, it made him recalled how painful it was to lose a loved one. He wanted to comfort her and be there for her calmly.
"No," Iria murmured with her voice lower than ever before. "It's already too late. She will be buried tomorrow."
At least five days were needed to reach Jerivia from Qalagon and if the friend was to be buried tomorrow, rushing there won't make a difference. When Arin thought of this fact, he finds himself at his wit's end.
What could he do for her? How would she feel better?
"I will take the soup later," Iria muttered and narrowed her eyes. "Can I be alone for now?"
Arin quietly stared at her before he finally nodded. "Alright. The guards and maids will be on standby outside. You can also have Rion accompanying you." Though he wanted to be the one beside her, he somehow had a feeling that she would be more comfortable if she was with someone whom she had known for a long time.
"I will be in my chamber and if you need me, I will come right away," he calmly added as he rose from his seat. "Have a rest," he muttered and walked out of the chamber.
The moment she was left alone, Iria shifted her gaze to the window on the right. It had been a while since it stopped raining and the weather had become clear again. She gets off her bed and slowly walked towards the window.
When Rion returned from the kitchen, he noticed that his Commander was standing near the windows, looking up at the vast sky above. She was barefooted and it instantly made him worried. She should sleep and warm herself to get better!
"Commander, they are currently preparing the soup. The maids will bring in once it is done."
"There are no stars tonight, Rion. Iria always loves to stargaze with me but... I'm always busy and never had time for her," the Commander murmured. "Do you think the stars also missed her? Is that why they didn't shine tonight?"
"Please don't blame yourself, Commander," Rion quickly said. "Her Highness always understands you."
"I know," Iria muttered as she narrowed her eyes. "If I also know that she won't last until I return, I will never leave her and come to this place."
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