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Even when some officials interrupted Orius again, Iria couldn't stop wondering what he told her.

She still finds it hard to believe it.

He was willing to marry? Just like that?

"What are you thinking?" Arin asked her as he occupied his seat after a long chat with the officials.

"Orius said that rather than courting someone, he prefers an arrange marriage," Iria promptly said and looked at Arin. "I think it's strange."

Arin Helev gave a quick thought and smiled. "But I think that suits him. That's so like him."

"Really?" Iria asked, giving her husband a suspicious look.

Arin simply nodded. "Yeah."

"He says he wants me to find someone who is willing to marry him," she said. "Should I do that?"

Arin Helev chuckled at how unsure she sounded. "I bet you will be very busy starting tomorrow." One thing he just heard crossed his mind and his smile faded a bit. However, he still thought that he should tell her. She should know it.

"I heard that Jerivia is planning for an alliance marriage with Nathania," he cautiously said. "With Nardodia putting pressure on him, it seems like Zaro Aventine can only turn to Nathania. He will marry Princess Athena Valen."

Ever since they lost the Alewine Army along with the Commander, the whole continent knew that Jerivia wasn't powerful like before. The kingdom became weaker as time passed and they can't climb back to the top on their own. They need help.

When the Princess of Nathania visited Jerivia more than a year ago, Iria noticed the way she looked at Zaro Aventine. It seemed like the Princess was still not over him considering how she agreed to the alliance marriage.

Did Athena Valen know that Zaro was a changed man now?

Marrying him will only destroy her life.

"That's not unexpected," Iria Helev stated. "Let them do whatever they want, for now."

"Iria," Arin called out with his gaze never leaving her. "About the gathering at Vialand..."

"I will go with you," she promptly said. "It's still a month away."

"But he will be attending too," Arin argued.

After a year, was she ready to face him again?

He wasn't sure.

"I know," Iria muttered. "But the King of Vialand invited both of us. It's not good to reject him."

The gathering was much more like a celebratory party that the King of Vialand will be organizing to celebrate the peace that Vialand maintained for years.

Yes. Vialand didn't fight any war for years and that contributed a lot to their small kingdom's wealth. Now, with an ally like Qalagon and Cedore, everyone refrained from targeting them thoughtlessly.

As the purpose of this gathering was to promote peace, the King of Vialand sent out invitations to every kingdom and empire on the continent. Some will attend while some refused.

"Alright," Arin finally said after thinking about it for a while. "Andres will also represent Cedore. I will also be there. So. let's hope that things will be fine."

Iria wondered how Zaro Aventine's life would be like. Just a little over a year ago, he used to have everything.

A loving father.

A younger brother and sister.

The admiration and respect of the people and...

A best friend.

Now, he had none.

Princess Iria passed away, he caused his father's death and lost both Orius and her. The worst part was that he was an ineffective king. He didn't care for the people's well-being anymore. From what Iria's heard, he didn't even care much about the administration of the kingdom and the officials were the ones who did almost everything.

He mostly spent his time alone, locking up himself in his chamber.

He might be living in hell right now.

* * *

In the royal palace of Jerivia

Maybe the rumors were true. The King of Jerivia was alone in his chamber though it was pretty late now.

The palace that used to be very buzzy and lively just a year ago... was now a quiet and lonesome place.

Zaro Aventine sat on the couch near the door to the balcony. The door was opened and a cold breeze blew in his face but he remained the same - expressionless.

If there was one thing that he still shared with his former best friend, it must be the memories from that day in the Serene Valley. He still live in that day even after a year.

Why did he do that?

Why did he let darkness overshadowed him that day?

If he didn't lose control back then, he won't lose everything.

If he listened to Iria when she pleaded with him to stop the day he ordered her to be locked up in the cell, will things be different?

When he hardened his heart that day, he didn't know that her absence in his life will be this tormenting. He lived with power and luxury but... he felt like he was in a living hell.

Now, she was already the wife of Arin Helev.

There was nothing he could do.

When he heard the sound of the knocking on his door, he responded and Derin walked inside. The attendant halted and bowed.

"Your Majesty, we just received news that the Princess of Nathania will be arriving in three days. As planned, the wedding will happen a week after she arrives."

There was no response from the King and Derin wasn't sure even if his King heard him or not.

"Your Majesty."

"I know," Zaro Aventine muttered. "Make sure that the preparation is going well."

"I understand, Your Majesty. Do you need anything?"

"No. You can leave."

With that said, Derin left the chamber right away.

Wedding.

Zaro spent a lot of time with Princess Athena in the past year to the point where she could be considered as his only companion ever since he lost everyone else. She stayed with him a lot though everyone criticized him from behind.

Though she couldn't fill the void in his life, she provided him with some assurance. She was the only one who never give up on him but... was he ready to marry her?

He wasn't sure at all......