He knew and he kept his silence. AGAIN.

This was why Iria felt that Arin Helev could be more dangerous than he looked. He was like the darkness which you have to face without a proper vision.

Unpredictable.

"You knew?" she uttered. How?

Her voice. She seemed so tired. Was she feeling suffocated?

"It wasn't my intention. I happen to hear you two talking about it in his tent," Arin Helev explained.

It was that day! Iria almost panicked. How much did he hear?!

"Captain Klaus happened to save you and that's not a crime, Iria. Besides, the assassination attempt is not a trivial matter. I don't understand why you can't inform me about it," Crown Prince Arin stated.

He was just worried for her safety. Why can't she understand?

Hearing what he said, Iria was convinced that he only heard a few and not about other conversations. It relieved her a bit but... how will she explain?!

"What I said in the evening is my way of warning the Queen. I don't have anything to prove that she is the mastermind behind that incident. About Captain Klaus... I tell him not to tell anyone about it," she said after much thought.

"You can tell me and I will investigate the matter," Arin argued.

"I'm a Jerivian, Arin. That will never change," Iria firmly said. "Considering the past of our two kingdoms, do you think they will believe me without proof? Even if you prove that it's the Queen's doing, then what's next? Will you hurt Morin just for that?"

Arin was speechless. Her firm voice and gaze. She looked more and more different!

Iria turned away, feeling troubled by the messed up situation. She truly hoped that this would end!

"Don't misjudge me anymore," she said as she shifted her gaze back to him. "I'm not kind or gentle as you thought. I already warned the Queen and if she won't stop, I can't say what I will do."

Her words reminded Arin about something. One thing that bothered him until now. "Will you shoot her? You have great archery skills."

What was he... she raised a brow when she realized what he was talking about.

That day in the training ground. He knew that she missed the target by purpose? Only one thing was on Iria's mind.

Danger.

This man was dangerous.

Iria Alewine looked at the Crown Prince and shook her head. "You're scary." The two words unconsciously escaped her lips.

"And so are you," Arin promptly said. He took a step closer towards her and she raised a brow. "Do you know that I'm curious to death? You're so mysterious."

"Why do you act like you don't know? Is the celebrated Crown Prince of Qalagon that foolish?" Iria asked. She was so unprepared and many things crossed her mind. What would she do?

"Iria," Arin muttered and let out a breath. "I really don't care about such things. I know that your archery skills are way beyond average. You can even land the arrows on whatever you want just to conceal your skill.

"I was taken aback by it but... it's clear that you want to hide. I said many times that I refrain from saying useless things. Having such a skill isn't a crime."

Arin Helev was feeling troubled and he also had his doubts but... the real identity of the woman standing before him didn't cross his mind at all! However, it's understandable.

Who would have thought that the most capable warrior of Jerivia disguised herself as the Princess and came for an alliance marriage? That's beyond one's imagination.

When Iria didn't say anything, Arin spoke up again.

"It's late. You should rest now. We can continue this some other day." He turned around but...

"Don't you know that you're making a huge risk?"

He paused his movement when he heard her question. He was nervously pressing his nails against each other. Then he turned back to face her again. "I'm willing to take that risk." Rather than losing you. He wished to say these too yet he refrained.

Iria Alewine felt too suffocated.

Arin Helev. What would she do with him? Why was he too... helpless?

* * *

It was already past midnight yet Klaus Ermias just arrived in one inn inside the capital. Standing near the door to one room was Theo, his guard and personal attendant.

"Milord." The young man bowed at the sight of him.

"Did you arrange everything?" Klaus Ermias asked.

"Yes, milord. You don't have to worry," Theo replied with his head bowed.

"That's good," Klaus Ermias said. Just when he was about to enter the room, he halted and shifted his gaze back to his guard. "Keep this from my uncle."

"I understand," Theo said and the Captain walked inside the room and took a seat behind the curtain that divided the room.

After waiting for a while, one middle-aged man was brought in by Theo. The man had his eyes blindfolded and Theo made him sat on the chair before the curtain. Then he left to stand guard outside the door.

Klaus Ermias remained quiet for a while, staring at the shadow of the man on the other side of the curtain. "Don't be afraid," he spoke up. "I only want to know the answer to my problem. You already heard my condition, right?"

"Yes, milord," the middle-aged man responded. "Mostly, such illness developed due to childhood trauma. I mean, haunting experience at a young age."

Klaus Ermias nervously squeezed the armrest of his chair. "I know the reason. We can skip that."

"What do you want to know?" the man asked him.

"I crossed paths with someone and miraculously, I can tolerate her touch. I don't say that it didn't hurt at all but that excruciating pain is not there. It's tolerable and this had never happened before." Klaus Ermias paused and asked, "How is this possible? I don't understand."

He recalled what happened a few hours ago and the more he thought about it, the more he felt lost. How could he not react at all when she touched her? Bare body on top of that?!

Even when he wore clothes, it was always so hard for him to endure for just a while. What was happening to him?!