A seat was arranged for Crown Prince Emor opposite King Tobias but there was some space between it. As Iria Alewine was sitting on the King''s right with just Crown Prince Zaro between them, it was almost the same as sitting opposite the Nardodian Crown Prince and... she really didn''t like it.


    "Is something wrong? You act different tonight," Zaro Aventine asked the Commander. Propping his left elbow on the table, he ced the side of his head in his palm and turned his body towards his friend.


    Commander Iria shifted her gaze to her friend and when she saw his curious yet concerned face, she forced a little smile. "I will tell youter. Now is not the right time," she calmly said.


    "You know that you only make me more curious, don''t you?" Crown Prince Zaro bluntly said and let out a sigh. "Then when will that ter'' be?" he asked.


    "Soon," Iria Alewine simply said and briefly nced at a cup of wine before her. Just when she reached for it...


    "I think you already have enough for tonight," Zaro stated and put the cup away before Iria could even touch it. "You don''t even like wine. What will you do if you get yourself drunk?"


    "You''ll just take care of me," the Commander simply responded without much thought. "Isn''t that the job of a best friend?"


    "I''m more than willing to do that, but I don''t want you to lose face in front of all these guests. As I said before, you''re the center of this feast," Crown Prince Zaro promptly said. There was a victorious smile on his face, making the Commander frowned this time.


    "Alright. You won," she said and retreated her hand from the table. "I won''t drink anymore for tonight."


    Iria had no idea about how the Nardodian Crown Prince was watching her every move. However, what bothered Emor Tripas the most was the close rtionship between the Jerivian Crown Prince and the Masked Commander.


    From the time when the Crown Prince wiped her hand for her to this moment when she was talking to the same man with a smile on her face and the easiness aura between them... Emor Tripas didn''t miss anything.


    Was there something between them?


    "Crown Prince Zaro and Commander Iria seem to be very close, Your Majesty," he suddenly remarked as he shifted his gaze to King Tobias Aventine. His words attracted the attention of everyone in the huge hall, including the two friends.


    King Tobias chuckled with a nod. "Everyone said that, Crown Prince Emor. Of course, they are close. They are best friends since childhood."


    Hearing the King''s response, Emor Tripas shifted his gaze back to the two who were now looking at him. "Best friends," he muttered before he smiled and added, "That''s a beautiful thing."


    Iria Alewine wondered what was going on in his mind.


    Was he trying to create trouble for her?


    "I''m quite surprised now that I meet you in person, Commander Iria," Emor Tripas said to the Commander who stared at him with a puzzled face. "You are so different from the rumors."


    Iria Alewine narrowed her eyes as she was feeling troubled, thinking of what his intention was. However, she soon realized that everyone''s attention was on her. Once again, she had to answer him.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "Rumors are never that reliable, Your Highness. Besides, most of us are not like what we appeared to be," she replied, shifting her gaze to him. Then she added, "I''m sure that Your Highness will understand what I''m saying."


    Was she trying to remind him that he was the same too? That''s what Crown Prince Emor was thinking. However, most of the people in the room didn''t understand the hidden intention of the Masked Commander.


    "You seems to be very interested in Commander Iria, Crown Prince Emor, " Zaro Aventine finally spoke up when he sensed that something was strange.


    "But I think we already get used to this. Whenever we have a guest, the Masked Commander is the one who always gets most of their interest. It''s understandable as... " Zaro shifted his gaze to Iria and there was a subtle smile on his lips. Then he continued, "She is the pride of our Jerivia."


    Crown Prince Emor quietly stared at the Jerivian Crown Prince before he finally smiled again. "You''re right, Crown Prince Zaro. The Masked Commander is always a mystery and everyone who gets the rare chance to meet her won''t be able to hide their interest."


    With that said, the invisible tense atmosphere which many didn''t notice started to calm down and the feast goes on with a pretty peaceful atmosphere.


    *


    It had been a while since the feast was over but Commander Iria was held back by some officials who want to chat with her, mostly to congratte her on the victory. By the time she could leave the huge hall, it was almost midnight.


    The moment the Masked Commander walked out of the hall, one man whom she wasn''t familiar with was making his way to her. "Crown Prince Emor wish to meet you. Pleasee with me, Commander Iria," the young man said to her in a formal tone.


    Crown Prince Emor as in us Ermias? The fake Captain.


    Though Iria didn''t wish to meet him, she knew that she had some business to settle with him. So, she followed the young man to one of the guest chambers where the Nardodian Crown Prince stayed.


    Entering the vast chamber, Iria Alewine saw the back of Emor Tripas. Thetter was standing near the windows, nkly staring up at the sky. There was also a young woman on his left a few steps away.


    "Your Highness, Commander Iria is here." It was Theo who informed the Crown Prince. He was the one who brought Iria to the chamber.


    When Emor Tripas heard Theo, he quickly turned around and his gazended on the Masked Commander who simply stared at him nonchntly. Despite the pressure, he walked towards her and halted when she was a step away.


    "How have -"


    PAK!


    Complete silence fell upon the chamber for just a split second! Theo and the young woman''s eyes grew wide in shock when they witnessed their Crown Prince being pped by... the Masked Commander?!