Rion was taken aback by his Commander's order.
Not even the royal family?
What did she mean by that? As far as he could remember, his Commander never do anything which was needed to hide from the King except in two matters. Her relationship with the Qalagon King and... how she used to meet her maternal uncle or someone from Cedore in the past three years.
"I will explain later," Iria Alewine said when she noticed the expression on Rion's face. "For now, do as I say."
Though he finds it strange, he believed that his Commander will have a reason. So, he nodded. "I understand."
With that said, Rion left the tent.
Iria Alewine sat still but what the Emperor said repeatedly echoed in her ears. She felt lost and she wasn't even sure if she was doing the right thing.
What if the Emperor was wrong? Most importantly... what if King Tobias knew about the thing that troubled her right now?
Despite what the Emperor said to her last night, she was still scared of disappointing the King. Besides, nothing was sure for now.
The Commander was distracted by a soldier who informed her that the King wanted to see her. Then she left for the palace right away.
*
Unlike other days, Commander Iria finds the King in his chamber and not the meeting room. She wasn't sure if she should enter but Captain Callan instructed her to do so. As such, she walked inside and greeted the King who told her to have a seat on the couch opposite him. Then she complied.
"I heard that you spent more time in your mansion these days," King Tobias said. "Is everything alright?"
Like other days, the Commander noticed the concern in his voice and face. This made her question herself once again.
Was she really doing the right thing?
"After what happened, I want some time for myself. That's why," she replied.
"It must be hard, Iria," Tobias Aventine said. There wasn't a hint of fakeness in his voice or expression. After all, how he cared for her was never an act like Orius claimed. It was genuine.
"It's getting better now, Your Majesty. I'm sorry for making you worried," Iria Alewine responded. The Emperor's words that still echoed in her ears made her weak. However, she wasn't foolish enough to mention that.
"It's fine," the King promptly said. "You can take your time."
Commander Iria didn't say anything. She never thought that she would feel uncomfortable talking with the King considering their close bond. However, it was happening right now and it was a pure torment for her.
"I summon you for one reason," the King spoke up again after a few seconds of silence. Then he looked at Iria who also turned to him to listen to what he was to say. "I have a chat with the Prime Minister in the morning and... he told me that yesterday evening, he saw someone who looks like Emperor Kalos here in the capital."
Hearing the unexpected thing, Iria Alewine instantly felt the pressure. She always wanted to keep this matter a secret because she didn't want to cause unnecessary concern and trouble.
Was she exposed?
Staring at her face, the King felt like he had got the answer he wished to know. "You meet him?" It didn't sound like a question and they both knew that.
"Your Majesty -"
"Why didn't you tell me, Iria?"
"I..." She struggled for words to say. Though she did it not to create trouble, she knew very well that for a Commander like her, meeting the Emperor of an enemy empire in secret was a crime, not a trivial one on top of that!
Knowing no other choice, she rose from her seat and got down on her knees beside the couch.
"I was wrong," she said with her head lowered. "Please forgive me."
"He is your maternal uncle and I know that, but... " King Tobias made a deliberate pause as he tried to clear his mind. "He is also the Emperor of Cedore. Do you know what will happen if it wasn't the Prime Minister who spotted him? If any of the officials who are eager to take you down were in the Prime Minister's place, even I won't be able to do anything to save you!"
"I know," Iria Alewine replied. She always knew that if she ever get caught, the result won't be that rosy.
As she kneeled, what the Emperor told her last night crossed her mind. Emperor Kalos told her that the King wanted him far away from her. He didn't want them to mend their relationship.
"Did this happen often?" King Tobias spoke up again. This time, his voice was much calm compared to before.
"It's the second time," Iria promptly replied. She debated if she should tell him about the young man whom the Emperor always sent to meet her thrice a year. However, she decided to not talk about it.
It will only worsen the situation.
King Tobias thought of a way to deal with the situation and though Iria Alewine hated to admit it, she was a bit scared.
If the King was to order the capture of the Emperor, it won't be hard as the latter was still here in the capital with just one soldier. She was the Emperor's reason for coming here but... if he was indeed arrested in the King's order, she won't be able to do anything!
"Three days," King Tobias spoke up, making Iria lifted her head. "Go and tell him that he should leave the capital right now and if he failed to leave Jerivia in three days, I can't guarantee anything."
"I understand, Your Majesty," the Commander responded with relief. "Thank you for your kindness."
"I only do this for your sake, Iria," the King firmly said. "However, if it happens again, you won't be forgiven anymore. I don't want you to give the officials a chance to get you."
"I will keep that in mind."
Once the King heard his response, he quickly rose from his seat and helped Iria up. "Don't make me worry anymore," he said to her in a calm voice.
"Aren't you not going to ask me what I discuss with the Emperor?" Iria asked the King. There was a hint of confusion on her face.
"I trust you." King Tobias response came faster than ever. "I was angry and that's the truth. But do you know why? It's because I was scared."
The Commander raised a brow and the King continued.
"I was scared that it would be another official and not the Prime Minister who spotted the Emperor. My hands will be really tied if that's the case." Making a brief pause, the King added, "I don't want to lose you, Iria. And I believe that you won't abandon me for anything else."
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