BXBX NOVEL Chapter 22 - Many Hidden Sides
For years, she forced herself to wield her sword and slashed her enemies. She agreed that she was a cruel being. Her hands were stained with blood all the time but she never regretted anything. She did it so that the people can have a life.
She was infamous as a ruthless Commander. She was a darkened soul. However, for her, it's worth it.
But this Arin Helev; he always made her questioned herself! He was calm yet always sincere, kind yet cruel just like her. Somehow, she always saw herself in him.
"Do you not like what I said?"
Arin's voice snapped her out of her stupor. She darted her eyes to him and noticed that he was staring at her the whole time.
Iria shook her head. "It's not that."
Arin slightly smiled. "You know I plan to fulfil my promise which is for a lifetime. So, even if you're still feeling uneasy, it's fine. We have a lot of time."
"Why are you so kind to me, Crown Prince?" The words escaped her lips before she could even realize. Once again, she decided to just continue. "Is it because I'm your wife? Or because you feel bad for me leaving my kingdom?"
Arin simply nodded. "That's a part of the reason."
"There is another reason?"
"Yes, but... " Arin paused, thinking of how to express himself. He was always bad at this because he rarely did. "I don't know. When I see you, I just want to make sure that you're safe and treated well. I want to make you feel at home." He finally added.
His response made Iria flustered. He didn't know? She blinked rapidly when one thing crossed her mind.
No way! He won't look at her like that. It's not possible!
"Why do you give me that face?" Arin asked, dumbfounded. He had no idea what was going on in her mind!
"Nothing. I just think that you talk a lot these days. When I first came here, you rarely talked. It's even scary to talk to you first." Iria blabbered whatever was on her mind.
Arin's lips curved into a smile. "I already said to you before. I'm not aloof, I just don't say useless things. What's the purpose of that?"
"I'm not talking about the purpose but the effect. You give off a cold vibe." Iria responded without much thought.
Hearing her response, Arin narrowed his eyes. Then he turned back to her. "For your information, Crown Princess, I'm not kind or warm. In fact, I will be more cold-blooded than you thought."
"The cold vibe you talked about; that's the truth. However, there is a time for everything. Take now as an example. I have no reason to be cold or cruel to you. But in other times, I'm different." Arin added.
He was cruel at times and kind at times. That's what he meant and Iria understood it very well because she was just like that! However, this made a new thought crossed her mind.
He was kind now but... in the future, they would be an enemy again. When that time comes, she will have to face the cruel side of Crown Prince Arin! Somehow, she hated the thought.
"I also think that you will surely have many hidden sides in you, Crown Princess." Arin suddenly said which made her felt perplexed!
Why did she felt like Arin knew some of the hidden sides in her?! After all, he was very smart. From what she heard, his immense power in the court and throughout the kingdom was all thanks to his intelligence. He had a smart brain and keen eyes which made the people and the Ministers trusted in him.
"I'm not complicated like you, Crown Prince." She said, trying her best to act normal. She didn't want the keen eyes of this mysterious Crown Prince to see through her. That will ruin everything!
"I hope so," Arin replied with his gaze never leaving her.
* * *
"You should try to understand him. You know that Arin is always very sensitive, especially when you're involved."
In one huge chamber of the main palace, King Regan was trying his best to make his wife feel better.
Queen Lorey was sitting beside him with a disappointed face.
"It's hard to put up with him. I only have a walk with the Crown Princess around the garden. What's wrong with that?" The Queen complaint. Her disappointment was also quite evident in her voice.
King Regan finds himself in a dilemma. He knew the scars that still lived in his son's heart. However, Queen Lorey was still his wife. He couldn't just neglect her complaint.
"Calm down, My Queen. I think he still needs time. He's 22 and he will understand everything sooner or later." He calmly said, hoping to calm down his wife.
"It's been 13 years, My King. I've put up with him for 13 years. He's not a kid anymore." Queen Lorey grunted.
"You know there's nothing I could do with him. He still blamed me." King Regan sighed. He knew he was wrong. He deserved to be blamed but... he really wished that his son could put aside the past and move on. Only that way will he be able to be happy.
Queen Lorey glanced at her husband with displeased written all over her face. Why was he always so weak whenever Arin was concerned? Was it because he still loved Arin's mother, that commoner?!
She was boiling with rage on the inside! She was the Princess of Nathania who captured many hearts of royals and nobles from many kingdoms yet she chose Regan Helev and loved him with all her heart.
Why can't she beat a dead person even after 13 years?! Just the thought of it always drove her mad!