The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

Little Crown Prince Ansel received many gifts from all over the continent with the help of his parents. Like any other toddler, the little Prince was cheerful and at times, he would stare at the gifts he received as if he was fascinated by it, amusing all the guests. Once in a while, he would call his parents, much to the delight of the King and Queen.

The celebration goes on even after they had dinner and right now, everyone was enjoying some wine as they chat with each other. The little Crown Prince had also fallen asleep and he was taken to the main chamber by his nanny.

Though Iria wanted to go and stay beside her son, Athena still occupied her mind and of course, Emor Tripas too. The young Nardodian King was pretty quiet. While Iria was wondering what to do, Athena approached her first and took her by surprise.

"Your Majesty."

Iria raised a brow as she muttered, "Athena."

"I feel like you have something to say to me," the former Jerivian Queen said. "It's been too long after all."

"It is," Iria nodded and Athena took a seat beside her.

The Qalagon Queen briefly glanced at her husband who was busy chatting with the guests and then turned back to Athena. "I have something to tell you but... you disappeared for two years," she said. "I always wonder where you might be and... if I will get the chance to tell you."

Athena narrowed her eyes and asked, "Is it about my late husband?"

Iria Helev nodded. "Before he died, Zaro Aventine asked me to tell you that he is sorry for everything."

Athena's expression changed and Iria noticed it right away. She wondered if she should continue talking but... she felt lost.

Much to the Queen's surprise, a little smile appeared on Athena's face after a while.

"He is cruel to me even in his last moment," Athena muttered and looked at Iria. "I'm grateful, Your Majesty. You still remember even after two years."

"Back then, I don't know that it will take me two years to relay it to you," Iria said in a low voice. "I don't know how you spent those two years but... I really hope you can move on and start anew, Athena."

Once again, Athena forced a little smile. "During the past two years, I do a lot of thinking, Your Majesty. I realized that Zaro might not be a good person but he was never a bad husband to me. However, things didn't work out for us because I never had his heart while it was the thing I want the most."

She made a deliberate paused and briefly looked at Aziel who was chatting with the Queen Dowager. Then with a little smile that finally appeared genuine, she turned back to Iria and continued, "Don't worry about me. Though I can't say that I have already moved on, I dare to say that I'm on the verge of doing that."

The Qalagon Queen looked at the young man beside Lorey Helev and she flashed a smile too. She understood what Athena was talking about. "Then I wish you the best. It will be great if you can come and reside in the capital."

"Molis Province isn't that bad, Your Majesty," Athena promptly said. "Your husband is such a great ruler. Since he closed the gap between the nobles and commoners by focusing on the well-being of normal citizens like me, life has been great. The trade with Aederin brought us wealth and it even benefits the commoners." She smiled and added, "I'm so glad that I chose to reside in Qalagon two years ago."

"I'm glad you say that but... it's a smart way to turn me down," Iria pointed out with a chuckle.

Arin was right. Athena was really smart.

"Feel free to come to me if you have any problems," the Qalagon Queen continued. "I'll be glad to help you."

Athena nodded and then returned to her seat beside Aziel.

While Iria was quietly staring at Athena and Aziel who appeared very happy and comfortable with each other, someone sat beside her on the same seat that Athena occupied before. She quickly turned to that and... it was Emor Tripas.

"I was hoping for you to talk to me first but it seems like I have to do that," Emor Tripas said to her with the same old smile on his face. "How have you been, Your Majesty?"

Iria Helev only stared at the Nardodian King as she failed to utter any word. She felt tight-lipped just like the time when he suddenly showed up at the entrance a few hours ago.

"I keep my words, Your Majesty," Emor spoke up again and when Iria looked at him with a confused face, he continued, "I told you that I won't change my mind. It's been two years and here, we meet again, not as a foe but a friend."

"You're still the same, Emor Tripas," Iria suddenly said. "You still push yourself for others' sake."

"I've changed a lot, Your Majesty," Emor argued. "But there are some traits that I can't just throw away, just like you never stop being kind and blame yourself for everything."

There was a little smile on his face when he talked to her and Iria finally smiled. "You still talk like you know me," she remarked, making Emor Tripas chuckle.

"Apart from your husband and your family, I dare to say that I know you the best," the young King stated confidently, and leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "I know many of your secrets."

There was a victorious smile on Emor's face and Iria realized what he was talking about.

The time he kept her secret during the alliance marriage.

"That's more than three years ago," she frowned.

"But many people still think that you're a different person. They said that you only have the same face as the Princess who came for the alliance marriage," Emor Tripas pointed out.

Realizing that he was having a point, Iria sighed. "You should stop playing around with me, Emor. Why don't you focus more on yourself? Like.... when will you get married?"