Iria Alewine was sure that the Second Prince won't leave the palace. With an unconscious woman, there's no way for him to go through the palace guards unless he wants to be caught red-handed. So, she and Rion looked for the Prince inside every chamber of the Crown Prince Palace.

Even after searching for a while, they couldn't find him. Not to mention that the Masked Commander was more than anxious now! Judging from the Second Prince's nature, she was sure that he won't hesitate to kill the lady as long as it's necessary.

When the fact that the Prince carried Lady Vienna crossed her mind again, Iria Alewine realized one thing. To not be caught, Prince Orius had to only walked a path where there were no guards.

She quickly glanced up at the top of the pavilion and her eyes searched for the path where there were no guards on patrol. Following one path, she reached the last chamber on the left which was one of the guests' chambers. There weren't any guests in the Crown Prince's palace for now. So, the area was pretty quiet.

Just as she expected, Prince Orius was standing inside the chamber when she and Rion barged in. She glanced around and noticed that Vienna Mareyi was sitting on the floor with her hands and legs being tied by a rope. Though she was still unconscious, her back which was pressed against the wall prevented her body from collapsing to the floor.

"Your Highness -"

"She heard everything that you said," Orius Aventine muttered.

A while ago, the Prince saw the Prime Minister's daughter arriving in the palace to meet the Crown Princess. When she realized that Iria wasn't in her chamber, she saw Rion and recognized him as the Crown Princess's personal guard. So, she followed him to ask the whereabouts of the Crown Princess, only to hear the secret which she wasn't supposed to hear.

"What are you planning to do with her?" Iria Alewine asked the Second Prince.

Prince Orius who was still turning his back at Iria, suddenly turned around to face her. "You're asking me the obvious. You should have been more careful. Your sense is always great but... why didn't you notice her presence?"

Iria Alewine recalls what happened to find an answer to the Prince's question. Was it because she was too absorbed in her thoughts?! If she was in her clear mind, there's no way for her to not sense the presence of Lady Vienna!

It's because of Arin Helev again.

"She is the daughter of the Prime Minister's daughter, Iria. Many people knew that she came here to meet you. We can't let her go and we can't leave the palace with her in this situation. We are cornered," Orius Aventine uttered.

When he sensed the slight movement of Vienna Mareyi who was slowly regaining her consciousness, his eyes darted to her and Iria Alewine followed suit.

When Vienna Mareyi regained her consciousness in full, what she first noticed were the three Jerivians in the chamber. She wanted to run away but her hands and legs were tied! Her mouth was gagged to prevent her from shouting. As such, the fear and helpless feeling draw tears from her eyes which rolled down her face!

Vienna Mareyi glanced at Iria who was standing a few steps away from her. The one whom she considered a friend was... an enemy?! When she recalled what happened, there was a hint of pain in her eyes which Iria Alewine didn't fail to notice.

While the Commander was clenching her fist, trying hard to keep herself in check, she noticed Prince Orius unsheathing his sword!

"We don't have a better choice. I will kill her and we will leave Qalagon right away. We can deal with the aftermath later," the Second Prince firmly said.

Commander Iria watched as the Prince took walked towards Lady Vienna. She also didn't fail to notice the fear in the eyes of the Prime Minister's daughter!

Prince Orius halted when he was just two steps away from Vienna Mareyi. Just when he lifted his sword to strike her... Iria Alewine rushed to him and stood before Vienna Mareyi!

The Prince immediately lowered his sword and involuntarily took a step back when Iria suddenly stood between him and Lady Vienna. Meanwhile, Vienna Mareyi who shut her eyes when the Prince lifted his sword, opened her eyes again to know what was happening.

She saw Iria shielding her from the man which she wasn't familiar with. She raised a brow when she watched as Iria Alewine dropped to her knees before the unfamiliar man!

"What do you think you're doing!?" Orius Aventine snapped, glancing down at the Commander with disbelief written all over his face!

Had she gone crazy?!

"I'm the one who creates this mess," Iria Alewine muttered with her gaze fixated on the floor. Then she lifted her head and looked up at the Second Prince. "I will solve this matter. So, please... spare her life."

"This is not a matter which can be solved," the Prince uttered in an unyielding voice. "I won't risk everything just by sparing the life of one Qalagon woman."

"Your Highness -"

"Move aside. Don't make me repeat myself."

"Commander," Rion muttered as he stared at his Commander who was still on the floor. He shook his head, urging her not to meddle with the Prince's action. It would bring her no good. Besides, the Prince's action was reasonable. They don't have a better choice and taking the wrong risk would cost them their lives!

Iria Alewine saw and knew what Rion was thinking. She understood everything but... when she briefly turned around and noticed the fear, confusion and pain in Vienna Mareyi's eyes, she couldn't retreat. As such, she clenched her fists and braced herself.

"Kill me first."

What?!

Disbelief was written all over the two men's faces when they heard the Masked Commander!

She was willing to give up her life just to save the life of one Qalagon woman?!

Vienna Mareyi was no exception. The moment she heard Iria, she looked at her with a flustered face. She finds it hard to believe it.

"What did you say?" Prince Orius asked. Did he heard her wrong?! He wanted to make it sure!

"I can't let an innocent person die because of my negligence," Iria Alewine uttered. "So, if someone has to pay for it, that should be me. Please kill me first, Your Highness."