Chương 17: You Talk Too Much Tonight
Iria was sitting uncomfortably for a while now. Once in a while, she would glance at Crown Prince Arin who was sitting opposite her, quietly eating his dinner.
Ever since she followed him back from the market in the evening, the aloof Crown Prince hasn't said a word. Just what was he thinking?
A few more time passed and she ran out of patience. She puts down her spoon and glanced at the Crown Prince. "Don't you have anything to say?" She asked.
"It seems like you're the one who has something to say." The Crown Prince simply said without even sparing her a glance. He was still occupied by eating his dinner.
Iria blinked at how he directed the question back to her. "I just thought that you might have something to say about me sneaking out."
Hearing her, Arin Helev finally halted what he was doing much to Iria's delight. Then he shifted his gaze to her. "You know you do something you shouldn't. That's good enough."
"But I can't promise that I won't do it again." Iria promptly said and the Crown Prince slightly raised a brow.
"Last time, I said that I will keep in mind. I don't want to make an empty promise and even now, I still feel that way." Iria added in an unyielding voice.
"I already sort out a plan. If you insisted, I won't stop you. However, I will appoint one of my most skilled guards to ensure your safety. He can work together with Rion." Crown Prince Arin calmly said.
A Qalagon guard? That didn't cross Iria's mind! She sneaked out to train in secret so that her identity wouldn't be exposed! If the Crown Prince really appointed someone, everything will be a mess!
"Crown Princess," Arin muttered and put down his spoon when he saw her troubled expression. "I only want to keep you safe, not cornering you."
Iria knew that she could protect herself. She was capable enough. Though there was some risk, she was still willing to take it. Then she narrowed her eyes. "This is the same as cornering me. You put pressure on me which I don't like."
Arin thought of what to say, rubbing his temples. "I really wish that you can be free like a bird here in Qalagon. You have to leave your homeland, so at least, I wish this place can be the one you could consider as your new home. I want you to live without a worry but... what would that freedom become if something happens to you?"
There. He was hinting at the internal enemy again. Was the Queen really that troublesome?!
"Are you talking about the Queen?" She finally asked, bravely meeting his gaze again.
The Crown Prince's eyes flickered but soon, he maintained his composure. "If you know that, you should be careful rather than being reckless."
"I can protect myself," Iria argued. "You should trust me."
Protect herself? How could a well-sheltered Princess do that? It was impossible for Arin to believe her. If only he knew her real identity!
"Iria." For the first time, he called her name which made her blinked. "You don't have to put your guard up so high whenever you are with me. I will surely be the last person who wants to harm you."
What was he trying to say? Iria felt perplexed. She ended up staring at the Crown Prince with a confused face.
"I know that many rumours circulate and it even reached Jerivia. Maybe that made you worry but... " Arin paused, giving a second thought of what he was about to say. Then he finally made up his mind.
"I'm sincere about this alliance marriage. I have no intention to break it and I won't tolerate anyone who tried to make a crack either. Just like you, I do this for peace. I'm tired of fighting a war." Arin added.
Sincere he says? What's this all about? Iria thought about it and... her eyes flickered. He won't tolerate anyone who tried to make a crack?! Was it... Queen Lorey again? Did she spread false rumours?!
"You are smart enough to sneak out of this heavily guarded palace. I'm sure that you understand what I'm trying to say. Sometimes, what we hear aren't always the truth but believe me. The truth is never far." Arin said as if he could read her mind.
He had heard about the rumour of a fake alliance marriage a while ago. He already decided to turn a blind eye to it as he knew who might be the one behind it. However, when he saw her always putting up her guard so high whenever he was around, he couldn't take it anymore.
He was a man who was always firm in his decision yet he changed his mind this time and spoke up about it. He only hoped for two things. For her to loosen up a bit and to be at ease in his kingdom. How tiring would it be to be on guard all the time!
Iria could feel how the firm plan she had in mind wavered right before her eyes! Was the Crown Prince really telling the truth?! She didn't fully believe it for now but... if it's indeed true, she also wanted peace more than anything! Just like him, she was also tired of fighting a war!
"I don't really understand what you're trying to say." She finally spoke up, feigning ignorance. She needed time. She couldn't trust anything easily.
A subtle smile was formed on the Crown Prince's lips before he said, "Alright. Then listen to what I have to say now. You said that you don't make an empty promise and neither do I. At our wedding, what I vow was to protect you for life. I never break a promise that I made."
"We're back to the sneaking out case again?" Iria failed to hide her annoyance this time as her voice and reaction said it all. It made Arin fascinated as she rarely let her thoughts be known.
"Then let's talk it some other time. You should continue with your dinner." He said, gesturing her to lift her spoon.
Iria simply did as he said but she glanced at him again before she started eating. "You talk too much tonight." She remarked.
"I'm not aloof all the time. Sometimes, I deem it useless to speak. That's why." Arin wondered if Iria was even sure of what she said just now, because... no one had ever told him that he talks too much. It was always the other way round!
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