Just Once

"The Alewine Army recently fought against Helsia and they still need to work on strengthening themselves. Commander Iria is busy with training them and watching over their improvements." King Tobias said to his ministers.

All the ministers were perplexed when they heard the King. What's wrong with him? It was so unlike of him to say that! If it was like other days, he would already summon his celebrated Commander and solve this issue!

"Father," Crown Prince Zaro spoke up when everyone was too surprised to say anything. "I will prepare the Royal Army to fight against Helsia. No matter how determined King Rozalez is, he will still need at least another month to be fully prepared for another war. I will mobilize my army and lead them in this upcoming war."

"Your Majesty," The Prime Minister spoke up. "King Rozalez just lost his son. If the Crown Prince goes to fight him in this situation, the King of Helsia will be more than eager to let you suffer the same. His Highness is skilled and experienced in warfare and military tactics. However, he is the heir apparent to our Jerivian throne and your successor. If anything happens, it will be a huge loss for our Jerivia."

"The Prime Minister is right. We can't give King Rozalez a chance to avenge his son by letting His Highness fight the war." It was the Minister of War who supported the Prime Minister.

Now that two of his most trusted ministers expressed the same opinion, the King nodded. "That's right. It's too dangerous for the heir apparent to fight in this situation." He paused and think about it for a while before he said, "I will lead the Royal Army in this war."

"Your Majesty!"

"Father!"

Everyone in the room glanced at the King with a stupefied face. Fighting a war himself?! That's not something to be easily decided!

"King Rozalez leading his soldiers will be the advantage of Helsia. So, I refused to let them enjoy that alone." The King firmly said despite knowing that everyone disagreed with him. "If I lead the war, the morale of our army will also be boost and we will have a better chance of winning."

"The King of Helsia will also be more than satisfied to see you, Father. There is no different with me fighting the war!" Crown Prince Zaro protested. His father wasn't in his prime anymore and he didn't allow him to fight such a dangerous war. What if something happens to him?!

"Crown Prince," King Tobias calmly said and turned to his son. "How can you say it's the same? Even if something really happens to me, you will still be here. You're the future of Jerivia and as long as you're alive, our Jerivia has hope. Don't you know that?"

Crown Prince Zaro Aventine narrowed his eyes at the floor and clenched his fist. How was he supposed to agree with such a thing?! As a son, how will he allow his father to lead such a dangerous war?!

When his son remained quiet, the King understood what he was thinking. "I'm the King of Jerivia and I will fight for my Kingdom as long as it's necessary." He then turned to his ministers whose attention were all focused on him.

"For us who are responsible for Jerivia, the well-being of our kingdom comes first than anything else. Be it a title, family and personal interest; they should never be deemed more important than the safety of our Jerivia." He declared with an unyielding voice.

At his own words, he was reminded of the only one time he failed to do that during his reign which already spanned for more than two decades. Just once, he put his interest before his kingdom. He still regretted that even today and each time he recalled it, guilt swept over him and torment him without anyone knowing.

* * *

Unaware of the trouble in her kingdom, Iria Alewine was strolling around the capital of Zoris. Crown Prince Arin Helev was also with her and both were in disguised, dressing up as a commoner. It wasn't possible in Qalagon as the people knew the face of their Crown Prince but in Zoris, it was different.

It was their last day in Zoris as they will return to Qalagon first thing in the next morning. It was afternoon and they already spent half a day with the three royal family members of Zoris before leaving the palace. Though they were in disguised, several guards were still watching over them from a distance as per Crown Prince Vance Amias advice.

"Seems like you really love to hide your identity and wander around. You smile all the time ever since we reach this market." Arin Helev said to Iria who was busy looking around the items that were sold in the market.

"Being in this kind of place put me at ease," Iria said and glanced around. "Look at them. They all lead a simple life but they are still happy. These common people are the ones I envy the most."

Hearing her, there was a subtle smile on Arin's face. "I know why you think that way. All they have to worry about is earning their daily meals. They work and spent their free time in bliss with their families. Unlike the nobles and us, royals, they don't have to worry about the well-being of the kingdom or its administration."

"I think I'm not the only one who enjoys wandering around in disguise," Iria remarked with a little laugh.

"You are right but do you know what just crossed my mind?"

"What is it?"

"You enjoy so much. That's why I'm sure that you won't be still after we return to Qalagon. I should tighten your security as soon as we return in case you sneak out again."

Iria frowned. "Do you really have to say that now? It only ruined my time."

Arin laughed at her reaction. "You are being stubborn. If you agree to let the guards watch over you from at least a distance, I won't restrain you."

Iria helplessly sighed. If her purpose was just wandering around, she was okay with his terms but... it wasn't. She can't let the Qalagon soldiers tagged along when she wished to train, right?

"I will make some arrangements when we return," Arin said and when he noticed that she was about to protest, he added, "Don't worry. I will also consider how you value your privacy. I won't cross the line. I want you to be protected, not letting you feel trapped."

He thought of the assassination attempt she talked about the day before and he was more than determined to not let it happen again. Now, he was with her and not in Jerivia. He won't allow her to suffer such a thing again as long as she was his wife!

Iria noticed the determination in his eyes and she knew that it would be useless to argue. So, she kept quiet and simply continued looking around the stalls again.....