"You're awake."

Iria Alewine just opened her eyes after a deep sleep and the first thing she heard was the Crown Prince's usual calm voice. She darted her eyes to the right and saw him sitting on a chair beside her bed.

"How long did I sleep?" she asked him as she pushed herself up and sat on the bed.

"Almost everyone left the camp now," Arin replied. "The doctor gave you a strong painkiller last night. It's the effect of the medicine."

When Iria didn't say anything, Arin Helev spoke up again. "Do you have any clue about the assassins from yesterday?"

His question reminded her of how she was spotted with a bow and arrow last night. It wasn't just the Crown Prince but General Hanson and some of the guards including Antony were with him too.

"I'm not sure but I don't think it's the Queen's doing. Those assassins are quite skilled and I also heard them say that they will be dead if they fail."

Arin nodded once when he heard her response. "I also doubt that it's her." He paused and glanced at her legs but they were covered by a blanket. "How is your leg now? The doctor said that he mend the fractured part but it will take a while to completely recover."

"This is nothing," Iria promptly said without much thought. But when she saw him raised a brow, she added, "It's much better than yesterday."

"That's great," Arin said with a little smile. Then he rose from his seat. "I already told them to prepare the carriage. Let's return after having breakfast."

* * *

The palace was calm and quiet like always. It was evening and Iria was in her chamber. Crown Prince Arin was with her and the King and Queen came to visit her too.

"I'm so glad that you're getting better, Crown Princess," King Regan said to Iria Alewine who was sitting on the bed with her back pressed against the backrest. "You can be at ease. Arin is investigating the matter and I think we will find some clues soon."

"Don't worry about me, Your Majesty," Iria replied and briefly glanced at Arin when she said, "I have faith in the Crown Prince's ability."

"I'm glad to hear that," King Regan Helev quickly said with a relieving smile. "Your father will arrive in two days and he will be happy if he sees you in a good condition." Then he looked at his son and said, "Take good care of your wife, Arin. Even if you are busy, I will handle everything for the time being."

"Alright," Crown Prince Arin replied. He looked at Iria and slightly smiled while the latter smiled back at him.

"You should focus on your recovery. Don't move around too much for the time being," the Queen said to Iria. Unlike other days, her voice and expression intent no harm.

"I will keep that in mind." The moment she responded to the Queen, King Tobias instantly crossed Iria's mind. He will be here in two days but... what was his actual purpose? The Commander was more than curious yet she had no idea no matter how much she thought about it.

While the others were still chatting, Queen Lorey walked out of the chamber for some fresh air. She tried to go to the pavilion on the left as the atmosphere was always great there. However, she crossed paths with Prince Orius by coincidence.

There was no expression on the Jerivian Prince when he saw the Queen of Qalagon. He slightly bowed without much enthusiasm and tried to ignore the Queen but...

"Do you also suspect me for yesterday's incident?" Queen Lorey asked the moment the mysterious man walked past her.

Prince Orius halted when he heard the Queen's question. Then he turned around with the nonchalant expression still on his face. "I already warned you before, Your Majesty. If I think you're involved in that incident, you won't be standing in front of me now."

He was even rude than before but the Queen didn't care. Maybe she had already gotten used to this nature of his.

"Are you saying that you know it's not my doing?" she asked.

"That's right."

The Queen stared at his expressionless face and how he bravely met her gaze. A mere soldier would never dare to raise their heads in front of the Queen!

"I'm more curious now," Lorey Helev said as she scanned the Jerivian Prince with her scrutinizing gaze. "What makes you so bold and daring?"

"While I was young, I used to hear that the Princess of Nathania is beautiful on the inside and outside. But when I look at you, I realized that one should never believe in rumors," the Prince simply remarked.

Was the Queen offended? Maybe not. She kept on staring at the mysterious young man while shaking her head. "You truly have no fear." She turned her back at him and tried to make her way to the pavilion but this time, it was Orius Aventine who made her halted.

"I hope you stay that way, Your Majesty."

Lorey Helev turned around and faced the Prince once again. "What do you mean? she asked, confused.

"You should refrain and always keep yourself in check as you did now," the second Prince explained. "I'm not the type to forgive others but if you stop now and stay this way, I will forget what happened in the Garetth Forest. You know that I always keep my word."

Queen Lorey opened her mouth to say something but...

"Have a good time, Your Majesty," Orius said and slightly bowed. Then he walked away in a hurry.

Queen Lorey stared at the disappearing form of the Jerivian Prince with a flustered face. Why did he still sound scary even when he didn't threaten her?! Just who was he?!

*

Prince Orius left the palace alone and he was on his way to the Hudale Inn. His personal attendant, Kerin was still in that inn and he served as the one who received all letters from Jerivia on behalf of him.

Unbeknownst to the second Prince, one man who was walking around in the market alone spotted him by coincidence from afar. When the man saw the Prince's face, he raised a brow and muttered to himself, "Why is the second Prince of Jerivia here?"