The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

"You're still lucky to get the chance to experience a mother's love," Iria said to Arin when the latter remained silent. "I have no memory of my mother."

Both Iria's mother and Princess Iria's mother the late Queen passed away due to an illness only a few months apart. So, she didn't have a memory of her mother and the same goes for the real Princess Iria.

Crown Prince Arin had already heard how the Queen of Jerivia passed away early, so he understood what Iria said. "It will be hard." He murmured.

"It is, but my father's presence is always enough for me." Thinking of her late father, she secretly clenched her fist but she couldn't say anything about it. For Arin, the father she talked about was King Tobias and not the late Commander Darien Alewine.

"Do you miss him? If you wish, we can visit Jerivia when we have the chance." Arin promptly suggested, hoping it would make her feel better and less homesick.

Iria shook her head. She won't see her father in this lifetime again and going to Jerivia will only make things worse as only a few know the truth behind this alliance marriage. "I'm fine." She muttered and turned to Arin. "Do you know that there was an assassination attempt before I come here?"

Arin Helev raised a brow. "What do you mean? You were attacked?" How come he never heard of that?!

Iria thought of how the case was still unsolved. Did Qalagon had something to do with it?

"Do you have suspicions?" The Crown Prince asked her. Judging from his face, it was clear that he took this matter very seriously. It's understandable as there was a possibility that it was the doing of someone who was against the alliance marriage.

"I doubt that it's someone from Jerivia. The Queen won't have such connections in my kingdom." Iria stated. If the Queen was behind that assassination attempt, she would surely know that she wasn't the Princess and it didn't seem like it. "Who might it be?" She muttered, feeling puzzled. Was there another enemy which she wasn't aware?!

"We shouldn't let this slide," Arin firmly said. "It's evident that it was the doing of someone who is against the alliance. You are still alive and the alliance marriage took place. That means they failed. They will surely make a move again. We must be alert."

Unknown enemy. It troubled Iria. Hidden enemies were always the scariest and she had no idea who it might be. An enemy of Qalagon or Jerivia? It was such a headache.

She knew that she had many enemies because she always spent most of her time fighting wars and so was Crown Prince Arin Helev. It wasn't easy to figure out.

Helsia? Zoris? Nathania? Someone from Qalagon and Jerivia? The remnants of Nardodia Army or royals? Was there another possibility? It seemed like Qalagon wasn't the one Jerivia should be most aware of.

* * *

In the Jerivia royal palace, King Tobias Aventine was on the royal court, sitting on his throne. As always, Crown Prince Zaro was also sitting on his right. They were listening to the report of Trevor Amari, a General in the Royal Army.

"Your Majesty, according to our informant, the Helsia Kingdom is preparing for another war against us. Their preparation is also going strong." General Trevor reported to the King, kneeling a few steps before the throne.

As this was a normal meeting and not a secret one, all the Ministers of Jerivia were in the court and all of their expressions screamed one thing - shock. They just won a war against them a month ago and they wanted another one?! Were they crazy?!

"How is that possible?" King Tobias asked the General.

With his eyes glued to the floor, General Trevor felt a bit reluctant to answer the king.

"I'm asking you a question, General." The King said sternly when the courtroom was very quiet.

General Trevor promptly replied by saying, "One of the Generals who were killed in that war turned out to be the second Prince of Helsia. King Rozalez is determined to avenge his son."

The royal court fell silent once again until... King Tobias hardly slammed the armrest of his throne. "The second Prince of Helsia participated in that war? Why did we know nothing about this?" He howled.

"The Prince was in disguised and he hid his identity. That's why Commander Iria had no idea. Your Majesty, according to the informant, King Rozalez is planning to lead the war himself this time." General Trevor informed the King with an utmost respect.

King Tobias abruptly rose from his seat when he heard the news! King Rozalez will lead the war?!

"This is bad, Your Majesty." The Minister of War spoke up. "With the King's participation, the morale of the Helsia Army will highly rise. That can be our disadvantage."

"What can they possibly do?" Another Minister argued. "They are lesser in number and if they insisted to fight, it won't be hard to defeat them again."

"Are you sure of what you just said?" The King asked the Minister who recently spoke up. "Are you foolish enough not to know that in war, the number is not everything? Don't you know that an army with high morale is the most dangerous enemy we could ever face on the battlefield?"

At the King's words, the Minister lowered his head and back down right away.

"The Helsia Kingdom just lost their Prince in our hands. They will thirst for revenge and won't fear anything. Rather than 100 average soldiers, 10 fearless soldiers made a more formidable enemy. What's more, belittling our enemy is the first step to lose a war!" King Tobias added in a stern voice. Everyone in the room understood that his words were a warning for each one of them.

After the royal court became silent again for almost a minute, one Minister finally had the courage to speak up but...

"Your Majesty, I think we should summon Commander Iria. When it comes to Helsia Army, she has the best knowledge."

His suggestion only put the King in a dilemma and so was everyone who knew the hidden truth behind the alliance marriage! Commander Iria was in Qalagon! How could they possibly summon her?!

"I also think it's best to summon her and hear her opinion." Another Minister expressed his agreement.

King Tobias Aventine stood still, thinking what would be the best decision. Meanwhile, still sitting on the throne beside his father, Crown Prince Zaro Aventine figured out some plans of his own.....