An Insecure Feeling

Days passed by quietly and slowly. Minister Gerin who accompanied Commander Iria to Qalagon was now back to Jerivia. He was currently greeting King Tobias Aventine.

"Is Iria adjusting well?" King Tobias asked his Minister who stood in front of his throne.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Commander Iria asked me to tell you not to worry. She said that she will come back safe and sound." Minister Gerin responded to the King with his head bowed.

King Tobias make a long face and looked at his Minister. "If I have any other better choice, I will never allow her to go there."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Commander Iria is capable and intelligent. She will be alright." Minister Gerin said, trying his best to make the King feel at ease.

"She should be." King Tobias muttered. "Iria is like a daughter to me. If anything happens to her, then the Qalagons will have to pay for it." He firmly declared. His expression proved that he meant every word he said.

"Did anything happen while you were still there? What is your opinion on Crown Prince Arin Helev?" It was Crown Prince Zaro Aventine who asked the question. He was sitting beside his father, attentively listening to everything that the envoy reported.

Minister Gerin recalled the very few times that he meets the aloof Crown Prince. Then he bowed to Crown Prince Zaro. "Through Crown Prince Arin Helev is an enemy, I think he will be trustworthy."

"What do you mean?" Zaro Aventine confusedly asked.

Minister Gerin told the King and the Crown Prince everything that happened in the feast in detail. The moment he finished talking, King Tobias slammed the armrest of his throne with rage.

"How dare they insult us! After proposing an alliance marriage with no sincerity, they even dare to laugh at us! If I had known a bit sooner that the Qalagons don't want peace, I will never agree to this alliance marriage!" howled the King. His eyes were all red due to rage.

"Please calm down, Father. Iria already stepped up to amend the situation. All we can do now is strengthening our army." Crown Prince Zaro said as he turned to his father.

When his father fell silent, he turned his attention to the envoy. "Minister Gerin, did you say that Crown Prince Arin Helev defend Iria and punished the men who said those words?" He asked.

"Yes, Your Highness." Minister Gerin respectfully replied to the Crown Prince.

Suddenly, Zaro Aventine felt a surge of anxiety, much more like an insecure feeling. Iria was quite beautiful. What if... he shook his head and tried to brush away the dreary feeling. It won't happen.

* * *

It was evening and Antony was hurriedly rushing to the Crown Prince chambers. When he entered there, he kneeled before the Crown Prince who was busy reading some reports.

"Your Highness." He greeted the Crown Prince with his head lowered.

"What is it?" Arin Helev simply said with his gaze still fixated on the reports.

"I don't find the Crown Princess anywhere in the palace. I think she sneaks out with her guard." Antony reported. He didn't even dare to raise his head.

Arin Helev darted his eyes to the Captain of his palace guards. "Sneak out?" He muttered. "Are you saying that the security of the Crown Prince palace is loose enough for a woman to sneak out without anyone noticing?"

"I dare not."

"Then do you mean that she managed to sneak out despite the tight security?" He asked Antony.

"I'm afraid that's the case, Your Highness."

Arin put the reports down and shut his eyes. He told the Crown Princess that it's dangerous to leave without guards but... she could only stay put for a week. He had no objection with her going out but... not alone. Then he opened his eyes.

"Gather the guards and set out to look for her. You must bring her back safely. However, don't force her if she still has things to do. You can wait for her and bring her back after that."

"I understand!" Antony firmly responded. He rises and rushed out of the Crown Prince's chamber.

After Antony left, Arin tried to get back to work as he had many reports to read. However, no matter how much he tried to concentrate, he always ended up losing focus!

Putting down the reports again, he sighed and rose from his seat. He must locate his wife first and work later. That would be more effective than sitting here, being completely distracted.

*

After training with Rion in the forest for hours, Iria was walking around the market. The sun will set soon and she had to return to the palace before that. When she saw a stall that caught her attention, she quickly rushed to it while Rion followed her.

She stood in front of the stall and glanced at the accessories. Of course, what caught her attention the most was a type of ornament that can be hanged on the handle of swords. She had countless of them but... the sun shaped one in the stall really caught her eye. After all, it's the symbol which she lived with all her life.

She picked up the accessory and placed it in her hand with a smile. "It's beautifully crafted." She remarked. While she showed it to Rion, another young woman was standing beside her, glancing at the same accessories.

When the young woman saw the sun shaped one on her hand, she smiled. "You have a great taste. I have no idea about these. If you don't mind, will you help me pick one?" She said to Iria.

Iria looked at the beautiful young woman who talked to her. Her voice was beautiful just like her face. Judging from her dress and demeanor, it's evident that she was someone noble. When the woman smiled, she exuded innocence and purity.

"No problem," Iria said with a nod. Then she observed the accessories and picked the one with the shape of a single arrow.

"I doubt the accessory is for you, so this will be good. Some people believe that a single arrow signifies protection. If you give this to someone, then it means that you want them to be always protected." She explained.

The young woman took the accessory and observed it with a satisfying smile. Her eyes were twinkle with mirth when she turned to Iria. "Thank you so much. I - " She paused when she looked at Iria's back and she quickly hid the accessory.

"It's you, Lady Vienna."

When Iria turned to look at the man who talked to the young woman, she saw a familiar face.

"General Hanson." The young woman who was addressed as Lady Vienna slightly bowed.

Hanson Lorin smiled but when he looked at the one who was talking to Lady Vienna, he raised a brow. But he quickly turned to her and bowed. "Your Highness, I don't expect to see you here."

Iris secretly frowned. Seemed like she got caught!