"She is poisoned and I think Aryan Tripas is the one behind it," Arin Helev said to General Hanson. "No. I'm sure of it."

Hanson Lorin was taken aback again for the many times in the day. "Poisoned?" he gasped. "How is she?"

"She survived." The King's voice hinted at relief when he added, "I bet she will recover a lot by now."

When the General was still busy with his thoughts, Arin said, "I have to warn the Nardodian King. He should know what will happen if he dares to lay a hand on anyone precious to me."

Hanson Lorin observed his friend whose expression had become very determined. "King Aryan is planning more, right?" he asked.

Arin Helev nodded. "Last time, his target was Iria and now... it's the Alewine Army. I already warned her, so I believe that she will be able to solve it. If not... I will kill Aryan Tripas before he could complete whatever plan he had for the Alewine Army."

General Hanson still stared at his friend, confused yet amazed. "You're willing to go that far?" This was beyond his expectation!

"Don't you know me well?" Arin Helev asked his friend with a little smirk. "It's Aryan Tripas who triggered these. He should just bear with it."

Hanson Lorin was at a loss for words. This was only the second time he witnessed his friend being so cruel. The first one was when he decided to wipe out Nardodia 5 years ago and a part of it was because of his mother. And now... it's for the woman he loved.

"Fine," he finally said after what seemed to be forever. "I will help you till the end. If you want me to do something, just say it and I will do it."

The King smiled and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You just get married. I think I shouldn't put you into so much work for now," he teased him with a playful smile on his face.

The General sighed but when he noticed his wife making her way inside the chamber, his face quickly brightened up.

Vienna Mareyi, who was now Vienna Lorin walked towards the two men with a little smile on her face. Then she stood beside her husband and showed her respect to the King. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"It's nice to meet you, Lady Vienna," the King exchanged the greeting with a small yet genuine smile. Briefly glancing at his friend, he added, "I hope my friend treat you well."

Hanson Lorin frowned at the last sentence. However, he grabbed his hand around his wife's waist. "Do you think that I won't?" he asked Arin with an amusing smile, much more like a challenge.

"You will surely regret showing off," Arin Helev simply said, maintaining his cool like always. Hanson Lorin's smile only grew wider than before!

Vienna Lorin laughed at the conversation of the two men which was too 'childish' for their age. "I heard that you will be staying for dinner, Your Majesty. I'm glad." Giving her husband a side glance, she continued, "He will finally stop complaining."

Hanson Lorin darted his eyes to his wife, finding it hard to believe that she said that! However, the latter didn't even exchange his glance!

The General's defeated expression only amused the King more. Then he said, "I understand. When I reach here, he left me after greeting me and I had to follow him all the way to his chamber." He let out a sigh as if he was tired of his friend's childishness.

"You can't do this to me," Hanson Lorin protested as he looked at his wife. "Don't you know that Arin will use that to tease me again for eternity? You don't know him at all."

Lady Vienna let out a chuckle. Finally meeting the General's gaze, she said, "It's just a joke. You shouldn't take it seriously."

Hanson Lorin struggled to come up with a valid argument. As such, he let out a sigh and maintained his silence.

After a few more bickering and chatting, Arin Helev had dinner with the Lorin family as he promised. Then he returned to the palace about an hour before midnight.

Compared to the lively atmosphere in the Lorin family mansion, the palace was very quiet. However, the young King had already gotten used to it. He also realized that its lonesomeness had an advantage. He can always have a quiet time to himself and that helped him to focus more on his duties.

Arin was already alone in his chamber for a while when one young man dressed in all black made his way to him and kneeled a few steps beside him. The man appeared young but he might be two or three years older than Arin Helev.

"Your Majesty."

"Did you get to identify the person whom Aryan Tripas's right-hand man met?" the King asked. His voice was quite low and he didn't have to look at the man to know who he was.

He was the one who currently holds the title of Master Enaerion, the leader of the Enaerions that he mentioned to his friend before. Arin knew it.

"The person didn't show up in the meeting," the Master Enaerion informed the King. "Colson Leland waited for more than an hour before he eventually gave up. However, he is still in Jerivia. I bet he will schedule another meeting soon."

"This time..." the King said and his gaze finally trailed to the man. "Try to know beforehand, where and when the meeting will take place. Alert the Masked Commander about the presence of Colson Leland in Jerivia. However, no one else in the Alewine Army should know it."

"I understand, Your Majesty," the Master Enaerion responded.

"You may leave."

With that said, the Master Enaerion get back on his feet and bowed before he left the chamber.

Arin Helev's mind was instantly occupied by Iria as he wondered if she would be able to solve this issue. It was clear that Aryan Tripas was planning something big, something that will be enough to shake the whole Alewine Army.

If he indeed succeeded, Jerivia will be in danger, making the scheming King even more powerful! That shouldn't happen to ensure peace around the continent.....