Losing his ability to think clearly, Arin Helev kept on tightening his grip around Iria's body. It was as if he was holding on to her for dear life!

However, no one knows all the thoughts that crossed the Crown Prince's mind since he heard that his wife was missing! No one knows how desperate he felt! No one knows how scared he was to lose her forever! They didn't know anything and they didn't dare to judge him either.

Meanwhile, Iria's mind went blank! What was Arin Helev doing? She struggled but he was more than firm. He didn't plan to let go of her easily!

In fact, Iria hated herself. The Crown Prince of an enemy kingdom was doing something to her that no one ever did before yet... she didn't really mind. She was just flustered and that's all!

He was the Crown Prince of those soldiers who killed her father three years ago! She shouldn't be feeling this way. It's not right and she knew that. However, it seemed like her body was betraying her mind!

Remaining that way for a while, she finally broke free from his firm hug and pushed him away. "What are you doing?" she uttered. She should be firm at this time but... she can't even bring herself to look at him!

"Iria," Arin Helev muttered and finally realized what he doing. He was feeling confused but he didn't regret it. Then he observed her.

Her cloth that was torn, her messed up appearance and... the blood-stained in several parts of her clothes; his keen eyes didn't miss any single detail. Then anxiety made its way back to him again. Was she injured?!

"Are you alright?" he muttered with an aghast face. He unconsciously walked closer to her again but... she took a few steps backwards. This was enough to make him halted.

It was clear. She didn't want him closer.

Was it because of that hug?

"I'm sorry," he quickly said. "I don't mean to do that. You were missing and I... " He paused and let out a breath. He didn't even know how to explain all the emotions he felt and the thoughts that crossed his mind when she was missing.

"I thought that you left me," he finally continued. Though he didn't say much, he thought that this would be enough to summarize his feeling right now.

He was scared and that briefly made him lose his mind. He wanted her to know that. What if she started building walls between them again? Even he was surprised by how much he scared of that!

His last sentence left Iria stupefied. He thought that way?! Why?

She almost said that it was absurd of him to have such a feeling but... she can't even do that. She will eventually leave one day to never return. When that time comes, she didn't want him to think of her as a liar.

Iria Alewine mocked at her own thoughts. She was already lying to him all the time! Was she even trying to fool herself now?!

"I'm fine," she said, ignoring what he said. "These are not my blood. There is an accident." She didn't want to explain further and she can't do that either.

She was safe and she didn't have any wounds but... why did he still felt the pain in his heart? Arin was feeling perplexed. Was it because she was somehow... avoiding him?

"You should take a rest. We can talk in the morning," he said. He even thought if it was his way of running away. Maybe it was. The unfamiliar pain won't leave him and if this goes on, he was afraid that he would only be messing up the situation more than he did now!

Iria Alewine was quite surprised by his words. The mess she created was too big and she thought that she was up for an earful but... that's all? What's the meaning of this? She tried to speak up again, but...

"Good night," Arin Helev said to her and walked away from the pavilion. All she did was blankly stare at him until he walked inside his chamber.

Iria finally entered her chamber after standing still for a while in the pavilion. Rion instantly followed her in and stood a few steps away from her. "What happened, Commander? What take you so long?" he asked. His voice proved how concern he was.

"I don't kill him," Iria muttered, recalling what happened. "Some assassins were after me and he got hurt while shielding me from the arrows. I can't kill him, not after he saved my life."

Rion raised a brow. Assassins? An assassination attempt again?

"Let's wait, Rion. I think he won't expose me. He is injured now and we can watch him for a while. I don't -"

Iria couldn't finish her words as she was interrupted by the sound of the knocking on her door. Then she gestured Rion and the latter went to get the door. The person who was standing at the door was none other than Prince Orius Aventine.

Iria Alewine quickly stood up at the sight of the second Prince. "Your Highness," she muttered when she noticed the disappointment on his face. She briefly glanced at Rion for some clues and when the latter shook his head, she understood what was going on.

First, it was Arin Helev and now, Orius Aventine. Everything was a mess!

"Wait outside," Prince Orius said to Rion. He didn't even spare him a single glance but his voice was full of authority. Then the latter bowed and instantly complied with his command.

Now, Iria was standing alone, facing the icy gaze of the second Prince. She still didn't get to change her dress or cleaned up herself. She stood there with a torn and blood-stained clothes.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're going out?" The Prince finally spoke up after silence occupied the room for a while. His gaze that was darkened than usual never left Iria ever since he entered the chamber.

"It was emergency, Your Highness. It wasn't my intention to -"

"Do you kill the man?"

Iria bit her lip, feeling hesitant to answer his question. However, the second Prince was still waiting for her response, staring at her with his penetrating gaze. Then she said, "No. An accident happened."

"Accident?"

"An assassination attempt," she corrected and added, "Against me."

Prince Orius eyes flickered but it was just for a split second as he maintained his composure quickly again. Observing Iria for a while, he said, "It seems like you're fine."

"Yes, but -"

"But the man is still alive and that's where the problem lies."

Iria looked at Prince Orius with a flustered face. The problem? The meaning of what the second Prince said was that... Klaus Ermias should be dead?!