"You're acting strange today."

Crown Prince Arin glanced at Iria who was sitting opposite him. It hadn't been long since he returned from the camp and the two were currently having dinner in the dining room.

"How?" Iria Alewine asked.

"You keep on staring at me," Arin calmly said with a subtle smile on his lips. Then he puts down his spoon and asked, "Did something happen?"

Iria Alewine quickly shifted her gaze. "I don't know I do that," she muttered and added, "Everything is fine."

"You spent most of your time in your chamber these days and to be honest, I'm quite worried about you," the Crown Prince muttered. "Your leg is already fine and I'm not forbidding you to go out either. Why do you suddenly love staying indoors?"

Iria remained quiet for a while before she responded, "I'm just tired. I don't feel like going out these days."

Her response only worried the Crown Prince more. She never missed the chance to go out and now... she didn't feel like it? Why did she suddenly change?

"Arin."

The Crown Prince raised a brow and quickly looked at her when he heard her calling his name. Though he said that he wanted her to call him by name, she never did it!

"Will you be busy again this week?" Iria asked him in a low voice.

"Why?" Arin Helev quickly asked.

Why was she acting so strange tonight?

"Nothing serious. I just think it will be great to have some fun together again, be it inside or outside the palace," Iria replied.

It was her first time saying that. In the past, he was always the one who suggested going out or do things together. This time, she was the one who brought up the topic first but... why did it only make him felt uneasy?

"I -"

The Crown Prince was interrupted when Antony appeared.

"I apologize for interrupting, Your Highness. His Majesty wants to see you and it seems to be quite urgent."

Arin quickly shifted his gaze back to Iria. He tried to speak up but...

"You should go," Iria Alewine promptly said. "His Majesty must be waiting."

Arin thought about it for a while and nodded. "I will meet you when I came back."

The Commander watched as the Crown Prince left the dining room with Antony.

Why did she say that? She propped up her elbows on the table and covered her face with her palms. Maybe knowing that she had just 5 days left, get into her head.

* * *

Arin Helev entered the room where his father often held a meeting with a few selected officials. He saw his father standing near the big window alone and it made him wondered if there was something wrong.

"Did you ask for me, Father?"

King Regan slowly turned to the door when he heard his son's voice. "Come and have a seat, Arin," he said.

Without asking anything, the Crown Prince did as he was told. He watched as his father took a seat opposite him.

"You don't look so well, Father. What's the matter?" Arin asked. Staring at his father, there was a hint of concern on his face.

"I received a news and though it will be discussed in the royal court tomorrow, I want to ask for your opinion first," King Regan replied.

"What is it?" the Crown Prince promptly asked.

King Regan remained quiet for a while with a troubled face. Then he met his son's gaze and finally said, "The Alora Kingdom is planning to wage a war against us. I heard that they will be ready soon."

The Alora Kingdom?

"Why all of a sudden?" When the Crown Prince realized one thing, his confused face was slowly replaced by a knowing one. "They are the ally of the fallen Nardodia Kingdom," he muttered.

King Regan nodded his head. "Five years ago when you wipe out Nardodia, Alora Kingdom was the one we worried about the most but they maintained their silence. Now, we received news that they are preparing to attack us."

"Are you saying that they spent all those years preparing to wage a war against us?" Crown Prince Arin uttered with disbelief.

"King Declan of Alora is known for his great patience which he always used to his advantage. Now that he finally decided to fight us, believe that he will be more than prepared," the King advised his son.

"How much time do we have left?" Arin asked.

"According to my informant, at most two weeks," the King paused and said, "We have no time to lose, son. I'm sure that the officials will feel the same. So, you must work in strengthening and mobilizing our army. Tomorrow after the meeting, I will want to see both you and Commander Nico Petrus and other Generals to discuss the details."

Crown Prince Arin gave a quick thought and nodded. "I understand. I will get prepared."

*

Arin Helev returned to the Crown Prince's palace with a troubled mind. In no time, he finds himself standing right in front of Iria's chamber. He quietly stared at the door when their conversation before crossed his mind.

For the first time, she expressed her desire to spent time together and have some fun. She even asked him if he would be busy this week.

The Crown Prince didn't even have to think twice. He always loved to spend time with her and he can't get enough of it but... what about the upcoming war?

Arin Helev stood still for a while before he finally knocked on her door. When he heard her response, he walked inside the chamber. He saw her sitting on the bed and he took a seat beside her.

"Is everything fine?" Iria promptly asked. "What did your father say?"

Throughout his life, Crown Prince Arin never felt as nervous as he did now! He was more than reluctant to let her down. He always wanted to fulfil her wish no matter what it was, but... he was the Crown Prince before he was Arin Helev.

"Something urgent came up and... " he paused when he met her curious gaze. Squeezing the bedsheet, he continued, "I think I'll be busier for a while. Can you wait for me a few more weeks?"