Secretive

"Your Highness, this is the reply from His Majesty which the messenger brought back." Rion gave a letter to Iria as soon as she returned from the royal garden and entered her chamber.

Iria quickly take the letter and took a seat on the chair. After she finished reading the letter, she gave it back to Rion. The latter read the contents of the letter and quickly turned to his Commander.

"It's just as I expect," Iria said. "His Majesty won't allow me to be here forever. He needs me."

"What about you, Commander? Do you wish to stay here for peace?"

Iria recalled the past and tightly clenched her fist. "My father died in the hands of the Qalagons. As his only child, it's hard enough for me not to avenge him. However... " She paused and turned to Rion. "If I'm commanded to stay here, I will have to comply no matter what."

"His Majesty said to follow the original plan. His Highness also speak for you. That won't happen." Rion promptly said.

While Iria thought of her friend Zaro, she was interrupted by the sound of the knocking on her door. She gestured Rion to open the door and he did it right away.

Crown Prince Arin was standing at the door and seeing him, Iria quickly rose from her seat.

"Shall we take a walk together?" The Crown Prince's voice was calm. He stared at Iria, waiting for her response.

"Alright," Iria said and looked at Rion. "You can stay here." Then she left her chamber.

Walking quietly to the backyard of the Crown Prince's palace, Iria wondered what Arin's purpose was. There was a small garden in the backyard but it was very different from the royal garden.

There were no flowers in this small garden but only a few trees and plants. There was also a table and two chairs under a big tree. The shadow of the tree shielded the table and chairs from the strong sunlight.

Somehow, this unfamiliar place made Iria feel at ease. She liked the atmosphere and also the calmness provided by this place.

"This is my hideout," Arin said, turning to her with a little smile. "Though it's not that secret."

Iria turned to the Crown Prince with a confused face. Hideout? But why was he telling her this?!

"The calmness of this place provided me peace. It made me feel at ease." Arin added which made Iria blinked. They felt just the same!

"What do you think of this place?" He asked her.

Iria's eyes swept around the small yet quiet place and her lips curved into a little smile. "I like it."

Arin slightly smiled at her response. "Whenever you need refuge, you can come to this place. No one is allowed to enter this place without my permission. So, you can have a rest and a quiet time here."

"You just said that it's your hideout. Won't that violate your privacy?" Iria simply asked.

Arin took a seat on one of the chairs. "We are married, isn't it? What belongs to me is also yours."

Iria sat down on one chair opposite Arin. She observed him - his calm nature, his mysterious behaviour and his enchanting blue eyes that always screamed sadness. Somehow, she wished to know the story behind the sadness in his eyes.

Why did the powerful Crown Prince of a great Kingdom always look so sad? Most importantly, was this the real him? His kindness and considerate nature; were they all true?

"The way you talk and approach things are always different, Your Highness. I doubt most men would think as you did." Iria finally said, breaking her long silence.

Arin forced a little smile. "My mother passed away when I was 9. But her teaching still influenced me even today."

"Aren't you a secretive person? I don't expect you to talk about yourself." Iria mused. She admitted that he only made her more curious.

"Secretive?" Arin murmured the label and slightly smiled. "I'm not that secretive, Iria. I just don't express myself much. I deem it useless."

"Useless?" Iria blinked. "Why?"

"They will never understand me. Even if they do, I don't want their pity." Arin uttered. His face was still calm like always.

"Then what about me?" Iria asked. Though she wished to stay away from all possible troubles and even him, curiosity got the best of the infamous Commander.

"What do you mean?" Arin asked, dumbfounded.

"You said that we are married. Can I be an exception?"

For the first time, his smile reached his eyes while being with her. "Exception? I thought that you're not interested in me."

Iria was taken aback by his frankness. However, she still maintained a calm face. "It's just that... I'm curious about why I always see sadness in your eyes."

The Crown Prince's reaction; it was as if he was caught red-handed. It's like something which he truly wished to hide was being exposed!

"No one has ever said that to me." He muttered.

"Maybe they don't dare." Iria simply said.

"And you dare?" Arin mused. He finds her amusing. Her way with words and her boldness; he never knew someone like her.

"I know you won't hurt me. After all, I'm your wife. Didn't you say that you don't break promises?" Iria said. She wanted to stop but she couldn't do it anymore. What's wrong with her today?!

"I thought you don't believe me when I say that." Arin simply replied.

Iria fell silent for a while before she said, "You give me no reason to doubt you but... things aren't simple."

It's not up to her opinion. That's what she meant but... she couldn't say it to him. He was still an enemy whom she would face and fight on the battlefield very soon again.

Arin was feeling quite confused. What was she trying to say? Observing her quietly for a while, he said, "Do you know this, Crown Princess? In my eyes, you're way more secretive than I am."

Iria struggled for words to say, much for like she hesitated to speak up. She knew and heard how intelligent Arin Helev was. She didn't want to get exposed and ruin everything!

Sensing her reluctance, Arin said, "Don't feel pressured. I know it's not easy. One day, I will tell you why I appear secretive in your eyes. I hope you can do the same when that time comes."