It Will Be My Loss

Crown Prince Arin's voice snapped Iria out of her stupor. Someone was here? She turned to the balcony and she didn't saw anyone but a shadow. There was indeed someone there! Was it... Prince Orius? She wasn't sure.

Arin gestured her to keep quiet by putting his finger on his lips and she nodded. Then he grabbed the handle of his sword, ready to unsheathe anytime. Slowly, he walked towards the balcony and not a single sound of his footsteps could be heard.

Anxiety rushed through Commander Iria. If the person on the balcony was really Prince Orius, Arin mustn't catch him. She should avoid that at all costs and if not, the consequences will be huge!

When Arin was still a few steps away from the balcony, she let loose her hand that was nervously clenched. She shouldn't stand still while the situation was uncertain. She shifted her gaze to the back and saw a vase there. Then she took a step backwards while still staring at Arin Helev. Another two steps and she was now standing right before the vase. She tugged her hands behind her and pushed the vase, causing it to fall to the floor with a loud sound.

Hearing the unexpected sound, Arin quickly turned around to know what happened. He realized that it was just a broken vase and his wife was fine. Then he turned back to the balcony again but... the shadow was gone. The person on the balcony had run away!

Arin let go of his sword handle and walked back to Iria. He failed to know who was spying on them and that made him somewhat disappointed. She should be careful and stood still in her place. Why did she move around?!

"Sorry," Iria muttered with a kind of guilty face. Arin was too close and she knew how frustrated it would be! She would feel the same if she was in his shoes.

Arin looked at the broken pieces of the vase lying on the floor before he turned back to Iria and calmly said, "You're safe and that's good enough. Why don't you rest for now? I'll tell the servants to clean this up and I have to talk about this with Antony. I'll also inform Rion to stand guard inside the chamber in case that person returns."

"Alright," Iria responded and Arin briefly glanced at the balcony once more before he walked out of the chamber.

After the Crown Prince closed the door behind him, Iria darted her eyes to the balcony and rushed to it. Walking out, she observed each direction but no one was there. Was that really Prince Orius? She was feeling troubled!

"Your Highness." Rion bowed, standing a few steps behind her. "The Crown Prince told me what happened. Do you have some suspicions?"

Iria turned around and walked back inside. "I think it's Prince Orius but... I'm not sure. He won't gain anything by spying on us."

Prince Orius? Rion raised a brow. "His Highness is with the other guards the whole time." He said, confused.

"What? It's not him?" Iria turned back at the balcony with a stupefied face. "Then who was that person?"

"Do you think it might be someone from this kingdom, Zoris?" Rion asked.

Iria shook her head. "The bond between the two kingdoms, especially the royals is too deep. I don't think the Zoris kingdom will have some ill intentions." Iria paused, concentrating on her thoughts. "It must be Queen Lorey." She added.

"That's possible." Rion promptly said. "But what would she want? She can keep an eye on the Crown Prince in Qalagon and we will only spend five days here. She won't gain anything within the five days."

"Do you think she sent her men here to assassinate the Crown Prince?" Rion asked his Commander.

Thinking of Arin Helev's skills, Iria doubted that. "We don't bring many guards here. Even if the Queen's men are among the guards, they aren't enough to take down Arin Helev. They won't be capable of that."

Iria felt like she was stuck in a maze with no end! Just what was the Queen's intention?!

Then the door to the chamber was suddenly opened and both Iria and Rion darted their eyes to it. It was Arin Helev who made his way inside. What's more, he was followed by some of the guards from Qalagon. Then the Crown Prince walked to her and Rion retreated to where the other guards stood.

"Everything is fine now. We've caught the one who spies on us. It's one of the guards who followed us here." Crown Prince Arin informed Iria who was surprised by the news. That soon?!

"What is your name?" The Crown Prince asked. This time, he was addressing one of the guards. When Iria shifted her gaze in the direction where Arin was looking, her eyes flickered.

The guard stepped out and kneeled before the Crown Prince. "I'm Davian Canen, Your Highness."

'That's Prince Orius,' thought Iria and Rion.

Arin said that he had caught the spy. Did he refer to Prince Orius?! Commander Iria was overwhelmed by anxiety! She couldn't let the Prince be caught! Her mind was searching for a solution until...

"You did a great job in catching the spy, Davian." Arin complimented the Jerivian Prince who was in disguised!

Commander Iria and Rion exchanged glances with one another. Their reaction was the same. Impossible!

"Thank you, Your Highness. But I'm only fulfilling my duty." Prince Orius who was introducing himself as Davian Canen formally responded to the Crown Prince.

"I admire your mindset but... how come I have never seen you before?" Arin asked, observing the young man who was kneeling before him.

"I'm among the newly trained guards, Your Highness. General Calum appoint me to follow you here and this is my first task." Prince Orius replied.

At his response, Arin nodded in approval. "That's great. If that's the case, then I would like you to serve as a guard of the Crown Prince's palace from now on. I think it will be my loss to let go of an intelligent soldier like you. I will inform General Calum about this."

What?! Iria could felt her jaw dropped to the floor! Prince Orius will serve as a guard in the palace?! What was this nonsense?!

"What do you think, Crown Princess? Do you agree with me?" Arin asked for her opinion and turned to her.

Iria felt lost. Was this Orius purpose? It's way too dangerous for him! Struggling for words to say, she shifted her gaze to the Prince who slightly lifted his head to meet her gaze. She read his expression. This was what he wanted. Then she turned back to Arin. "That's up to you, Your Highness. I agree with whatever you say."

Arin nodded once with a little smile. Then he turned back to the Jerivian Prince. "That means there is no objection." Looking at Antony, he said, "Make arrangements for Davian after we return."

"Yes, Your Highness." Antony quickly responded.

"Thank you for your kindness." Prince Orius said. Unbeknownst to everyone, there was a seemingly innocent yet sheepish smile on his face.....