Arin Helev inwardly sighed when he heard Iria.
Who was more important?
She was taking her game too far!
When the King shifted his gaze to his brother-in-law, he saw how the latter's face turned pale at the question.
"You can't be serious, Iria," Orius could barely bring himself to argue but...
"I am," was Iria's simple response. Her seemingly sincere gaze was fixated on Orius, making him feel the pressure even more!
In the past which was way before Orius met his wife, Iria used to ask him this kind of question often but it was always jokingly. No matter with whom she compared herself to, Orius never hesitated to answer her. He was always very quick to say that she was more important but...
Right now, he hesitated for the first time.
Little did Orius knew Iria was happy because of this. It meant that her brother loved his wife now, a lot on top of that.
She won't have to worry about him living his life for her again. After all, she always wanted Orius to live for himself and be happy.
"I've told you many times that you're the most important person to me," Orius said to her and she wasn't expecting that. "That won't change, Iria."
Hearing what she didn't wish to, Iria let out a sigh and returned to her seat. "You're hopeless, brother," she remarked as she shook her head. This only confused the Duke.
"What do you mean?"
Just when Iria tried to speak up, Arin beat her at that.
"She is only playing around with you," the King sighed. "Why would you fall for her act?"
Orius shifted his gaze back to Iria who was practically glaring at her husband.
"But I'm serious now," the young Queen insisted. "I don't like his answer. I don't want him to think that way."
When Orius turned to Arin once again, the latter nodded at him. Then he briefly shifted his attention back to Iria before he walked out of the chamber.
"You're quite complicated today, My Queen," Arin Helev promptly said to Iria once they are the only ones in the chamber. "What are you thinking? Do you really want him to put you second in his life? You should be more grateful for having a brother who prioritizes you over anyone else."
"I know but... it's not right for Valerie," Iria muttered. "Do you think you will be happy if I prioritize someone else over you?" She shook her head and added, "Not first or second, I hope that Valerie and I can be equal in my brother's eyes."
After this, Orius who was still standing near the door outside finally returned to his chamber.
Arin thought about it and knew that she had a point. However, he still let out a sigh. "You take your game too far this time, Iria. You should take pity on your brother. Don't you see his face when you asked him that question?"
Iria smiled when she heard her husband. "Don't worry. I will talk to him and apologize later."
*
Orius just entered his chamber and sat on the couch beside his wife.
Even when Valerie looked at him all the time, the Duke couldn't stop thinking of what his sister said.
"Orius," Valerie called out and being snapped out of his thoughts, Orius quickly turned to her. "What's the matter?" she asked.
What happened? Wasn't Iria only playing around?
When he looked at his wife, Orius recalled what Iria asked her husband.
Will Valerie feel the same way?
"Nothing," he replied to his wife and slightly smiled. "Iria never stop playing around with me. It's hard to believe that she's the younger one."
Valerie laughed at his words. "I can see that she's only playing around but... you actually fall for it."
"You know?"
The Duchess nodded. "It's obvious."
"Then why don't I see through her?" Orius asked, confused.
Valerie thought about it and said, "Maybe because she means so much to you. When there is too much love, it's easy to be blinded."
His wife's response only reminded Orius of what Iria said. "Do you think I neglect you compared to her? I mean -"
"Don't say that," Valerie Alewine promptly said before her husband could even finish talking. "I already told you before, Your Grace. The extent you love your sister is your biggest charm for me." She briefly paused and continued, "Do you know what I told myself when I decided to marry you? I told myself that even if I can get just one-third of the attention you showered your sister with, it will be fine and we will be able to make it work. I still think that way."
Orius was taken aback by his wife's mindset and it was written all over his face.
She thought that way? He never had an idea about it!
"I already have your heart and that's all I ever wanted," Valerie said to him in a calm voice when she noticed the confusion on his face. "I already know your story and I understand how much your sister would mean to you. For years, you only live for her. I don't expect you to change that."
"But -"
"As long as I have a place in your heart too, it's enough for me."
Orius narrowed his eyes for a few seconds and looked at his wife again. "You know what, whenever you're so understanding, I'm always reminded of how I'm not worthy of you. I'm so lucky to have married you."
"At least you know that," Valerie simply said with a playful smile on her face and Orius chuckled.
"How I wish for my parents to still be alive! If they see you, they will like you so much," Orius suddenly said and it stunned Valerie.
Though Orius talked a lot about his sister, he rarely talked about his parents.. This might even be the first! Then she gave a quick thought and said, "Though I heard a lot of rumors about your father when he was alive, I'm still curious. What kind of person is he?"
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