It's her again.

She already left but... why did it seem like she still had an influence on many people here?

He loved her and it's a given for him to be influenced by her but... he wasn't the only one.

Arin Helev stood still with an unreadable face when many things crossed his mind.

She asked Commander Nico to protect him?

He even wondered why it seemed so easy for her. She left him well-prepared.

After fooling him for months, she returned to a place where they didn't have any memories together. No one there will talk about him to her, but... that's not the case for him.

Apart from all the places where they made memories together, people here often reminded him of her.

They always reminded him that she was one of them, though it was for just a while.

He was struggling and when he thought of how she might be just fine, it only made it harder for him.

It might be selfish of him but... he didn't want her to be just fine.

He wanted her to struggle too.

He wanted her to feel his absence in her life.

He wanted her to regret it so that she won't forget him.

Were those just wishful thinking?

"Your Highness," Commander Nico muttered when the Crown Prince stood still without saying anything. "Are you alright?" he asked.

His question only made Arin looked back at himself.

He used to be a strong being who never had to rely on others. However, ever since her departure, people have often asked him that question.

'Are you alright?'

No. He wasn't. Instead, he was barely holding on for the sake of his responsibilities.

That woman. She turned him into a weak person who made others worry.

"It's a relief to know that you're fine, Commander Nico. You should rest now," he finally muttered and without even waiting for a response, he left the tent in a hurry.

Rather than returning to his tent right away, Crown Prince Arin walked to a distance in the right of the camp. Then he sat down under the big mango tree and pressed his back against the trunk.

Shutting his eyes, what Commander Nico said repeatedly echoed in his ears. When he opened his eyes again, he glanced down at the two braided bracelets on his wrist. Staring at it for a while, there was a subtle smile on his lips.

"Seems like your protection still works," he murmured with his gaze fixated on the bracelets.

* * *

Commander Iria felt like she had already explored the Celia Forest a hundred times! It was noon and in the morning, she received a report about the movement of the Helsia Army.

The enemies had finished their preparation and it was just a matter of time before they set out to launch an attack against them.

She would soon run out of time.

While her soldiers and even Prince Orius were scattered in different parts of the forest, she was alone in the northern part of the forest. She explored the area, again and again, trying to not lose hope.

She might not be as patient as Arin Helev but it was her perseverance that made her into who she was today.

Every part of the forest was covered with fallen leaves, be it dry or green. As such, it was hard to see the real surface of the ground. Besides, the thickness of the forest was what made the movement harder. It was the reason why they often said that it was impossible for thousands of soldiers to pass this forest.

The area where Iria was alone was the northern outer part. As such, it wasn't that thick compared to the inner parts of the forest. Besides, the area never had many passersby.

Iria Alewine gets off her horse and decided to look around. She had been to this area yesterday as well. However, she wanted to check for the second time. If she failed today as well, then she might have to switch to the backup plan that she mentioned to the Second Prince.

When the small path far away in the left caught her attention, she decided to go there. She walked towards the path while observing her surroundings, until... she suddenly halted.

What was that?

The Commander slightly raised a brow when she turned around and glanced down at the ground. Just like every other part of the forest, it was covered with fallen leaves but... why did it felt like she was walking on a hard surface? Perhaps... wood?

With a confused face, she bent her knees and wiped away the leaves. The ground appeared normal but when she stood up and walked on it again, the surface still seemed to be a hard one.

Iria Alewine glanced around and collect some sticks which were in her surroundings. Then she started digging the ground. As others were quite far away from her, she decided to not lose time searching for them and instead, she kept on digging the ground.

A few minutes passed when some wood appeared on the ground beneath the sand. With a subtle smile on her lips, she continued the task and it goes on for almost half an hour until... the wooden part of the ground was completely visible to her.

Was there a path beneath the ground?

When the possibility crossed Iria's mind, she quickly holds the small object which seemed to be the handle. However, it was more than hard to move it. Soon enough, it drained her energy.

The Commander decided to seek help from the soldiers and she quickly approached her horse. However, one idea crossed her mind. Then she opened the small bag which was hanged on the side of her horse and take out a rope.

Iria Alewine tied one end of the rope to the handle and the other end to her horse. Then she mounted her horse.

Three steps of the horse were enough to make the wooden object flew open! Then the Commander quickly gets off and ran back. Beneath the ground was a hole that might be 3 metres in width and 2 metres in height. However, it seemed like it curved to the left.

Staring down at the fascinating secret path beneath her, there was a little smile on the Commander's face. Then she decided to get down and check what it was like.....