After a long day of patrolling around the capital, Crown Prince Andres was about to return to the palace with Zane.
Despite being the Crown Prince of a powerful empire, he hated to move around with guards following him. So, Zane was always the only one following him around. However, he was skilled enough and so was Zane.
Andres Francia mounted on his horse and Zane followed suit. He was about to start riding his horse when a familiar face approached him. As it seemed like the woman was looking at him, he loosened his grip on the rein and waited for her. Only a few seconds were needed anyway.
"We meet again," Ophelia Arille said to the Crown Prince and briefly glanced at the familiar guard beside Andres. "I always want to pay you back for your kindness that day," she added, turning her attention back to Crown Prince Andres.
Crown Prince Andres gets off his horse and Zane did the same.. "You don't have to do that, My Lady. It was nothing big."
"If you weren't there that day, I might need to stay there until someone finds me. You know that I can't even get up on my own when I tripped," the Princess argued. "So, we can't call it a small matter, right?"
Andres Francia simply smiled and looked down at her ankle. "You seem to recover well. It's a relief." Glancing at the guard who was a step behind the lady, he added, "You also have a companion today. So, I hope you will be fine now."
"Whenever I feel like I owe someone, it always bothers me a lot. But it seems like you're afraid that I would like to pay you back in a strange way," Ophelia pointed out jokingly.
"That's not the case, My Lady," Andres Francia promptly replied and gave a quick thought. "How would you like to repay me then?"
"I'm a traveller and I don't know much about the rules and customs here," Ophelia Arille explained. "What did the Cedoreans mostly do to show their gratitude to someone?"
He wasn't expecting that question and he ended up maintaining his silence for a while.
"Oh! Now that we meet again, can you now tell me how I should address you?" she asked, wondering how he would respond to her question.
Would he want to keep his identity a secret?
When he struggled to respond, Ophelia said, "You seems to be from a noble family. So, should I address you as 'My Lord'?"
Believing that his identity will only scare away the traveller, the Crown Prince nodded. "That will do."
His response surprised Zane a bit but he didn't show it.
Ophelia Arille nodded. "It seems like you don't know a way for me to pay you back. So, I will just save it for later, My Lord."
"Later?" Andres Francia asked, appearing a bit confused.
The Aederin Princess simply nodded. "Yes, later. I will make sure to pay you back."
Andres doubted that the day will come but he had no problem with it. He didn't help her expecting something in exchange anyway.
Though Ophelia wanted to invite him for something, she suddenly had a feeling that it will be better after their marriage. She was there to know him better and the last few days she spent here in Cedore already gave her the answer.
She made the right choice. Though it was a huge risk, she realized that it will be worth it.
* * *
"I feel bad for always making you go there alone," Arin Helev said to Iria who was standing opposite him.
"I just have to arrive earlier. Besides, I'll be using a carriage and that will slow down our pace," Iria calmly said. "You will still be on time for the wedding."
"Will you be alright?" Arin asked with concern more than evident in his voice. "Your shoulder isn't even healed yet. Sleeping in a tent will be very challenging."
"I will take my medicines regularly and I think that will do, Arin," Iria said.
With that, Arin sighed and pulled her into a kiss.
"Be careful, okay? I will make some plans with the Prime Minister and follow you in three days."
"Alright. Be careful too."
Arin nodded and turned to Elian and five Enaerions who disguised themselves as royal guards. The Master Enaerion was also among them. "Make sure that the Queen reach Cedore safely," he commanded.
With that said, Iria departed for Cedore with Elian and the Enaerions. Zire was also with them as he said before.
*
A few days passed and Iria and the guards finds themselves in the Azamet Kingdom in the south. Once they passed the Merith Forest, they will enter Vialand and it will be followed by Cedore.
However, as they entered the forest deeper, Zire suddenly stopped the troops and turned to the carriage where Iria rode. "I think I heard a sound, Your Majesty. We should look around first."
Looking at the outdoors through the window of the carriage, Iria nodded. Then Elian and the Enaerions quickly looked around the area while Zire keep watch near the carriage.
All at once, some soldiers appeared and the guards unsheathed their swords as they quickly rushed back to the carriage where the Queen was.
"I think it's an ambush!" Elian said to the Queen. "Please stay there, Your Majesty. Let's observe the situation first."
Elian and the others watched the soldiers who slowly walked towards them and soon, one man who seemed to be their leader appeared, riding a horse. He halted in the middle with the soldiers standing on his left and right.
Elian and Zire had no idea who the man was but it seemed like the Master Enaerion knew who he was as his eyes flickered.
"We're not here for a fight," the man said. "I'm here to talk to the Queen."
That voice... Iria Helev raised a brow when she realized the one who possessed that voice.
Aryan Tripas?!
He was here for her?!
"I bet you know who I am," Aryan Tripas spoke up again. "I want no fight. So, let's talk."
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