Iria Alewine didn't know how to respond to Crown Prince Arin's request.
One day?
She missed the days she spent with him in Qalagon but... the more the missing, the more torturous it had become!
Will she really be willing to spend a day with him here, in Jerivia?
What if the memory starts haunting her after he left for his kingdom?
For a while, she hated the sad reality. She had to think this much just to decide if she should be spending a day with him or not!
It's not even for a lifetime.
"I don't think I'll have the time that soon," she finally muttered.
"Oh. Is it because of the Nardodian Crown Prince visit?"
The Commander darted her eyes to the Qalagon Crown Prince.
He knew about the visit?
"I know," Arin Helev said, understanding her mind. "The whole capital is talking about it. Why won't I know?"
"That's -"
"You don't have to explain," Arin interrupted her. "If I were King Tobias, I will do the same."
Iria Alewine narrowed her eyes, thinking of one shocking yet unpleasant fact. Then she looked at Arin Helev and asked, "Do you know who the Crown Prince of Nardodia is?"
Arin Helev simply nodded. "I see him when he arrived yesterday evening." Turning his head to the Commander, he added, "You must be shocked."
Shouldn't he be the one who would be more surprised? The one whom he thought as the Captain in his army turned out to be the Prince of Nardodia and... he even backstabbed him. If she was in his situation, she would never be able to stay put!
His patience was amazing even now.
"These are just a part of our life, Iria," Arin Helev said to her in a low voice. "I don't think there is wrong with a Prince who wishes to revive his fallen kingdom. If I was him, I will surely try every means to let it happen too but... I'm also free to do whatever I want, to repay him for spying on my army all those years.
"In the world we live in, anything is possible and all acts can be justified as long as the result is good."
Iria Alewine was well aware of what Arin Helev was saying. In the end, whatever the stronger ones did were always justified.
When the Crown Prince was very quiet, Iria shifted her gaze to him. For a while, all she did was staring at his face.
She was still amazed by the fact that he was real. He really came here... for her? Then what about his duties?
Qalagon might be a mess right now.
"You look tired," she pointed out in a low voice. With dark circles surrounding his once enchanting blue eyes, it was sure that he didn't get enough sleep these days.
Arin Helev briefly recalled how he rode here without rest for days and night. The journey always took at least 5 days but he only used four days to reach here. However, he didn't want to tell her about that.
"Many things happened in the past few weeks. It's hard to sleep," he muttered. His calm yet tired gaze was fixated on the impressing scenery presented before his eyes. A few mountains of Jerivia dominated by trees; some plains and rivers; farms... it was quite a sight to behold. He might be staring at the scenery but still, his mind was occupied by the woman sitting beside her.
Many things? Was her departure included? It's not easy to see the once optimistic Prince acting so dull.
Was she worth that?
"My offer is still valid," Arin suddenly said, shifting his gaze back to her. "If you're busy, I can wait for a few days."
"I don't -"
"I'm not asking you to turn your back at your kingdom for me," Arin stated, interrupting her once again. "I'm only asking for a day. After that, if I ever come to meet you again, it won't be in secret anymore."
The Crown Prince made a deliberate pause while observing her expression. Then he said, "What I said last time... I'm serious about it. No matter what, I won't allow you to stay out of my life forever. I will surely find a way."
* * *
Iria Alewine was still amazed by what she decided. She really dared to accept the Qalagon Crown Prince's request and told him that she will let him know once she had the time. She already failed to distance herself from him and now... she was feeling so helpless.
She shouldn't be doing this but... why can't her mind and heart be in sync ever since he entered her life?! He always made her feel scared of herself!
Once she entered her huge mansion, one of the servants informed her that the Crown Prince was waiting for her. Maybe Zaro worried about her again.
Well, this time, she gave him the reason to. He was her best friend and it would be a miracle if he didn't notice her strange behaviour last night.
She entered one of the rooms which was mostly used for meetings or some gatherings. Whenever Zaro Aventine came while she was not at home, he always waited for her in that room and even this time, it was the same.
"It's almost evening, Iria. Where did you go?" Zaro Aventine asked her the moment his gaze landed on her. He made his way to her and observed her with concern.
Iria raised a brow. Just how long did he wait here?
"I went out for some fresh air," she replied, dumbfounded. "Did you wait long?" she asked.
"A few hours," the Crown Prince replied. "I heard that you leave early in the morning. Have you eat anything?"
A few hours? Wasn't he supposed to be busier due to the visit of the Nardodian Crown Prince? When she realized his question, she shook her head without thinking much, only to make him more displeased.
"I already figure that out," Crown Prince Zaro stated with a pretty upset tone. "I asked the servants to prepare some lunch. I think it will be ready by now."
"Have you eat, then?" she asked. Lunchtime already passed long ago.
"No. I was waiting for you," Zaro Aventine simply responded. "Let's go," he uttered and without even waiting for a response, he pulled her out of the room.....
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