Iria already spent some time alone in her chamber when she heard the sound of the knocking on her door. She assumed right away that it must be Arin Helev. He returned faster than she expected.
"Come in."
The Crown Prince made his way to her and glanced down at her who was sitting on her bed. "Are you sick?" He asked.
"No." She promptly said. "I only wanted to take some rest."
He observed her for a while as if he was doubting her. However, he finally said, "That's a relief. There is still some time left until dinner. Take some rest during that. I'm going to see my father."
Iria only nodded and Arin left again right away.
Staring at the empty door, Iria recalled what Prince Orius said to her. Will she really need to do that? If it was really needed, will she be able to... she shook her head. She shouldn't think much and spend the rest of her time here quietly. That's for the best.
*
When Arin left Iria's chamber, he inwardly sighed in relief. She didn't wander around and she wasn't sick either. He was so afraid that she would wander around the capital with just Rion again. Though things were quiet now, he had no intention to lower his guard. Things always happen in the least expected time and he learned that through experience.
He entered the main palace and then to the King's chamber where the latter was waiting for him. "Do you ask for me, Father? I went out to see the Prime Minister and I came here as soon as I returned." He said when he saw his father standing near the windows.
King Regan turned to his son and smiled. "Why don't you take a seat?"
Arin nodded and sat down on the armchair while his father sat opposite him. He didn't have the greatest relationship with his father but he listened to him most of the time. After all, King Regan was his father.
"Is everything fine with the Crown Princess?" King Regan asked his son. Though he was sure that Arin would take great care of his wife, he wanted to hear his response personally.
"She is doing fine," Arin said. Maybe his aloof nature was switched on again.
The King slightly smiled. "Be good to her. It will be tough for her as she is far away from home."
pαпdα-ňᴏνê|·сóМ "I know." The Crown Prince simply said.
King Regan nodded in satisfaction. "Then I'll get straight to the point." He said and his expression turned sincere. "I receive a letter from King Feric of Zoris. The King of Zoris will be celebrating his 50th birthday. He wished for you and the Crown Princess to attend the party as he missed your wedding due to his declining health. You know how much he favours you." He told Arin.
Zoris was their neighbouring kingdom and ally for more than a decade now and the two kingdoms had a true bond between them. It was common for the royals of the two kingdoms to visit each other even if there was no special occasion. That proved their deep friendship.
King Feric of Zoris treated him like his own son and Arin also valued him a lot. The King's health keeps on declining each year and from what Arin heard, even a year wasn't guaranteed for King Feric now. He always worried a lot as King Feric was an important person to him.
"Alright. When is his birthday?" Arin asked.
"It's after a week. So, to reach on time, you will have to depart the day after tomorrow." King Regan promptly said.
"I will talk with Iria and make preparations."
King Regan nodded. "It will be great if you can spend a day or two with him after his birthday. We can't predict the future." He narrowed his eyes and heavily sighed. King Feric was such a good friend and knowing that he didn't have much time, it was hard to accept. He wished to go too but if the King and the Crown Prince both left the Kingdom, it would be a huge risk.
"I will do that," Arin responded. It had been a while since he last went to Zoris. For him, Zoris was his second home where he spent the most time next to Qalagon. It was a special place.
* * *
"Do you have anything to say?" Iria finally asked Crown Prince Arin after observing him for a while.
The two were having dinner and Arin would glance at her once in a while as if he had something to say but hesitate to do it.
Hearing her, Arin Helev quietly looked at her for a few seconds. "King Feric of Zoris wanted us to attend the celebration of his 50th birthday after a week. He is like a father to me and he felt sorry that he couldn't attend our wedding due to his declining health." He paused and said, "He treated me as his own son. So, maybe he wished to see my wife."
Iria repeatedly blinked at how fast Arin talked. She didn't know he was capable of that! What made him talked so fast?!
"Why do you give me that face?" Arin asked with a perplexed face. He didn't expect that reaction.
"You talked too fast. That made me bewildered." She simply said and thought of what he said. Zoris? She had never been there. As Qalagon was their rival kingdom, it's impossible for Jerivia to befriend the ally of their rival kingdom.
"You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to go. I will tell Father and go alone." Arin calmly said.
As someone who always loved to explore unfamiliar places, Iria thought that it would be a great chance to see Zoris. She can't enter Zoris as a citizen of Jerivia but as the Crown Princess of Qalagon, she was more than welcomed there!
"I will go. It would be great to have a chance to see Zoris. I heard that it's a beautiful kingdom." She finally said which made Arin raised a brow.
"It's indeed beautiful." He mused. "You don't have to worry about a chance, Crown Princess. We will have many chances to visit Zoris in the future." He said with a subtle smile on his lips.
Iria slightly smiled though she knew there were no future chances. After a few months, she will be gone and the gate to Zoris will never be opened for her again.
After dinner, she quickly returned to her chamber and Rion quickly followed her in. "Inform Prince Orius that I will be leaving for Zoris with the Crown Prince the day after tomorrow." She ordered.....
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