Bitter Truth

Iria was all set to leave the palace with Crown Prince Arin. The latter had asked her if she wants to visit the Prime Minister's Mansion along with him and General Hanson Lorin. She thought that it might be a great chance to spend some time outside the palace.

Prince Orius will be arriving today and going out might gave her a better chance to meet him. She never sneaked out in the past weeks not to create problems. However, she wouldn't hesitate if needed.

Riding a horse, she left the palace with the Crown Prince and some guards including Rion. Hanson joined them after a while and they reached the Prime Minister's Mansion in no time as it wasn't far from the palace.

The Mansion of Prime Minister Casar Mareyi was quite an extravagant one. Though it couldn't be compared to the palace, its beauty was a sight to behold! Just like the Crown Prince's palace, it was separated into different sections and chambers. The mansion was surrounded by trees and some rare fruits. There was also a training ground on the right but not as huge as the one in the palace.

"Prime Minister Casar is a great advisor for me. He leads me and taught me ever since I was young. He's a great mentor, so I often visit him if I have time." Arin said to Iria when they entered the mansion. "Without his help, I won't be who I am today." He added, turning to Iria who was walking beside him.

Iria felt like she was getting to know Arin little by little, unintentionally. He often told her about him these days but... she couldn't do the same as she wasn't Princess Iria Aventine. Compared to the aloof Crown Prince who was always quiet and never explained things much to her before, the current Arin Helev was very different.

"You're here for the Prime Minister." She said and turned to Hanson who was walking a step behind them on the left. "I wonder what General Hanson's purpose is." Glancing at the ornament on the handle of the General's sword with a little smile, she asked, "Are you also here for the Prime Minister?"

"No." Hanson Lorin promptly said with an awkward smile. He glanced at Arin, seeking his help but the Crown Prince turned away! This made the General frowned a bit. He turned back to the Crown Princess and said, "I'm here for the Prime Minister's son, Julius Mareyi. He's my friend."

Iria simply nodded though she knew that Hanson didn't mean what he said. "I see. I think I should meet the Prime Minister's daughter then. I haven't seen her again since that day in the market."

Hanson Lorin's flustered face was so amusing that Iria couldn't help but smiled. Seeing her amusing smile made Arin smiled too. "I already informed the Prime Minister to wait for me in his study. I will go there and you two can do whatever you want. We have plenty of time." He said to Iria and Hanson.

Iria nodded and looked at Hanson Lorin again. "General Hanson, who don't you just meet your friend some other day and meet Lady Vienna with me? You seemed to know each other's well and it will be helpful for me to befriend her."

Her words made Arin let out a light chuckle. "Go with the Crown Princess, Hanson. I will entrust her to you for a while."

Hanson quickly nodded in agreement. "Alright, Your Highness."

Glancing at Iria one more time, Crown Prince Arin left for the Prime Minister's study.

"You should lead the way. It's my first time here." Iria said to Hanson as soon as Arin left and they made their way to the left where Lady Vienna's chamber was located.

Lady Vienna Mareyi was known for her beauty and elegant nature. She was the perfect example of a well-raised noble lady and it's not a miracle that many men fell for her charms. In par with her gentle nature, the section where her chamber located was also dominated by beautiful flowers.

When Iria and Hanson reached there, Lady Vienna was on a small pavilion near her chamber, arranging some flowers in a beautiful vase. When she suddenly saw the two making their way to her, she rose from her seat and walked to them.

"Your Highness." She bowed and greeted Iria.

"No need to stand on ceremony, Lady Vienna." Iria quickly said and the Prime Minister's beloved daughter nodded with a little smile.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" She asked the Crown Princess. There was a subtle smile on her lips when she briefly glanced at Hanson Lorin yet the keen gaze of Iria didn't miss it.

Though Iria was also a woman, she was fascinated by the beauty of Vienna Mareyi. Her light blonde hair was very suited with her skin that was as white as snow. With captivating emerald green eyes and full lips, her beauty was really on top. Iria had never seen a woman as beautiful as this Lady!

She might be a warrior but she was also often praised for her beauty. With lustrous black hair and fair skin, aqua blue eyes and thin lips; the ones who saw her face beneath her mask always said that she was too beautiful to be a warrior. However, she didn't believe that.

Whenever she looked at the reflection of her eyes in the mirror, she finds it too soulless that it scared her yet Lady Vienna was the complete opposite of her. Everything about this lady screamed innocence and purity but Iria already lost such traits years ago! Now, she was just a cold-blooded and ruthless warrior! It's a bitter truth.

"Your Highness."

Iria was aroused from her stupor when Hanson called her. Vienna Mareyi was also looking at her with a flustered face. It turned out that she was already standing still for a while now, without saying anything! Unbeknownst to Vienna and Hanson, the realization made her felt a surge of anxiety in her heart! She shouldn't think of those things. It's useless.

"We came with the Crown Prince and I thought that it would be great to meet you. We parted hastily the last time." She finally said, forcing a little smile.

Hearing her response, Lady Vienna smiled. "It's an honour, Your Highness. Please come and have a seat."