"What if we run out of time?" Zire asked the Masked Commander after hearing out her plan to enter the Celia Forest.

"Helsia is not as strong as before," Iria Alewine started. "Though King Rozalez thirst for revenge right now, it doesn't mean that he can deploy his soldiers while they aren't fully prepared yet. He is a King, so believe that he won't be that foolish. That means we still have some time."

Staring at the map, Commander Iria added, "Don't worry. I still have another backup plan but it will be a bit dangerous and risky."

The Masked Commander said that it's a bit dangerous. That means it was more than dangerous!

The three soldiers knew this, so they were instantly convinced that the first plan was better.

In the past, the Masked Commander was known for her unpredictable decisions and moves during wars and even now, she still was.

"Rion."

"Yes, Commander."

"Select some soldiers and start exploring the Celia Forest tomorrow morning. I will join you once I settle some urgent matters."

"I understand," Rion promptly replied. It seemed like his Commander was back to her usual self - composed and determined. He was happy about it, but...

Has it ever occurred to him that she might just be pretending for the sake of others? Maybe not.

Her responsibility was too huge and... she had no time to show her pain. Like always, being strong was her best choice!

"Jolene, continue monitoring the training. Make sure that the soldiers are at their best form once the war takes place," the Commander instructed Jolene and the latter quickly nodded.

"Zire, keep an eye on the movement of the Helsia Army. I heard that the Crown Prince of Helsia is quite capable. So, don't miss any clues and inform me if you find anything unusual."

"Yes, Commander," Zire promptly replied. "Now that you're back, everything finally falls to its place," he remarked with a little smile.

"Don't be too excited, Zire," Iria Alewine dryly said. "Now that I'm back, it also means I will check your improvements often. Defeating Rion once is not enough."

Checking, again? Zire's smile instantly slipped! Does that mean... he will have to fight the Masked Commander again?!

"Please forget what I said," he quickly clarified, making both Rion and Jolene chuckled.

"Too bad. I don't control my memory," the Commander said as she looked at Zire who was struggling for words to say.

Will he ever grow up?

He was 19, the same age as Jolene, but... he was always too childish. Rion was a year older but it seemed like they had a huge age gap between them. Nevertheless, his loyalty, determination and persistence were what won over the Masked Commander. It was the reason why she let him stick near though he wasn't as skilled as Rion.

After practising and fighting many rounds, he would be tired to death but... he never let go of his sword unless the Commander told him to. Even if fighting one more round would kill him, he will still do it without complaint if his Commander ordered him to.

Zire was that kind of person.

After a few more conversations, the three soldiers left the tent, leaving the Masked Commander alone. Then... it wasn't long before all her calm facade dropped.

The feeling of emptiness invaded her and torment her in a split second!

After standing still for a while, she bent and pressed her palms against the table. For the many times in the day, she ended up staring at her empty wrist again.

The bracelet was gone along with his blessing and protection.

All he ever did was showering her with kindness but... she failed him. This was what tormenting her the most.

"Snap out, Iria Alewine," she muttered to herself in a low voice. "You have no time to think of him."

She kept on reprimanding herself but none of it worked. Then she propped her elbows on the table and covered her face with her palms.

She truly had to get a grip of herself.

All of a sudden, Vienna Mareyi crossed her mind.

Will she be fine? Judging from how Arin Helev already received the letter, maybe she delivered it to him after they left the capital.

She won't confess how she hid the truth, right? She should know that she was only betting her life if she did that!

* * *

It was morning and Vienna Mareyi was alone inside her chamber.

Just once glance and it was evident that the only daughter of the Prime Minister was feeling disheartened. Putting aside her friend who had returned to Jerivia... she hasn't heard anything from Hanson Lorin.

Was he disappointed in her?

That's what she feared the most!

However, her face instantly lit up when a servant informed her that General Hanson came to meet her.

Finally!

Without even thinking twice, she stormed out of her chamber and rushed to the small pavilion where the General was waiting for her. Her smile grew even wider when her gaze landed on the man she loved!

Right now, she had no resemblance to the woman who was coined as the most elegant lady of Qalagon! However, she cared nothing about that.

She was just happy to see him.

"You shouldn't run that fast," Hanson Lorin promptly said to her with concern. "What if you trip and fall?"

"Are you worried about me?" Vienna Mareyi asked him right away.

"Why won't I worry about you?" Hanson Lorin asked her back with a bit of confusion.

Lady Vienna narrowed her eyes when she recalled what happened last time. "I thought that you are disappointed in me," she muttered.

Hanson Lorin remained quiet for a while before he grabbed her hand and helped her sat on one of the chairs. Then he sat opposite her. "You get me wrong. I'm not disappointed and instead... your bravery that day amaze me."

"Then why?" Vienna Mareyi asked. She still remembered how he said to talk later when she tried to talk to him that day.

If he wasn't angry, then what was that?

"You put yourself in such a danger and... I was so afraid to lose you," the General replied in a low voice.....