BXBX NOVEL Chapter 362 - There Will Be No Later
A few days had passed since Iria left with Orius, Zire, the soldiers and Commander Julio.
In the royal palace of Jerivia, Zaro Aventine was all set to leave too. He will depart for the western border of Nardodia where the war will be taking place.
While the King stood still, observing the sword on his hand, General Trevor walked inside.
"Your Majesty, the soldiers are all set to leave now. We can move once you give the order," he informed the King.
Zaro Aventine nodded. "I'll be right there."
With that said, the General bowed and walked out of the chamber.
Almost a minute passed when the King sheathed his sword and went to the chamber he shared with his wife. He finds Athena sitting on the couch and Aziel was also standing beside her. At his sight, Aziel bowed and walked out of the chamber.
Standing beside his wife who didn't glance at him even once, the young King was struggling with what to do. He stood still, wondering what to say and a few minutes passed that way. Finally, he sat down opposite her.
"I'll be leaving for a war," he said. "Can't you at least bid me goodbye? I don't expect you to see me off."
"You know I'm against this," Athena said to him in a low voice. Nevertheless, she still didn't glance at him even once!
"I don't have a better choice, Athena," Zaro Aventine said in a calm yet tired voice. "Can't you understand me just this once?"
"You should stop this, Zaro," the Queen argued. "I know you don't really care about my opinion. So, just do whatever you want. No need to explain things to me in the name while you will still do as you want."
The King was taken aback by what his wife said! Did she really think that way?!
"Athena -"
"Just leave," she said, interrupting him from saying whatever he wanted to say. "I know you still haven't given up on her. Do you try to claim her by winning this war? If that's the case, you don't have to mind me. I will walk away from your life and this kingdom."
Once again, her words stunned the King! Did he hear it right?!
Did she really mean that?!
"That's not the case, Athena," he promptly said. "Do you really think I will do that? You also know how much she hates me."
There was a hint of desperation in his voice and Athena knew that. However... she turned a blind eye to it.
"In other words, you want her back if she doesn't hate you," she said in a somewhat cold voice.
Shutting his eyes, Zaro Aventine struggled once again.
With the mess going around, he was more than tired to argue or explain himself.
"Can we talk later once I return?" he asked Athena in a low voice as he opened his eyes. "I'm really tired now."
The Queen maintained her silence for a while before she said, "I will beg you this one last time. Please don't do this, Zaro. You will only increase your regrets and it will only destroy you. If you try, there will surely be other ways."
Zaro Aventine sat still without saying anything for almost a minute. Then he rose from his seat. "Let's talk when I return," he said, shattering the remaining small hope that Athena had in him. "Take good care of yourself when I'm gone."
He turned his back at her and attempted to walk out of the chamber, but...
"You made your decision," Athena spoke up. "Remember what I told you before. If you insisted to do, then don't blame me no matter what I do. You don't have the right for that."
The King stood still in his place as he somewhat felt the pressure. He didn't know what she was talking about and that made him squeeze his clothes out of nervousness.
"I'm sorry, Athena," he muttered after what seemed to his forever. "I'll be back soon."
He walked out of the chamber without turning back and once the door shut, a tear rolled down Athena's face. Aziel quickly walked inside and noticed her tears.
"Athena."
"There will be no 'later', Aziel," the Queen muttered. "I'm tired and this place suffocates me. I don't want to stay here anymore."
"But -"
"Let's leave this place," she said, rendering her friend silent. "I want to rest."
* * *
Aryan Tripas was inside his tent in the camp, listening to the report on the movement of the enemies. The one who gave him the report was one of his trusted Generals, General Arnet.
"The spies suspect that the Qalagon Queen is up to something, His Majesty," General Arnet informed the King who was turning his back at him.
"What is it this time?" Aryan Tripas asked with an obviously tired voice.
How long must he wait while the Qalagon Queen did whatever she want?!
"They suspect that she left the camp with some soldiers," General Arnet replied. "But no details are known."
"Didn't the Aliron Army arrive?"
"They arrived, Your Majesty. That's why it's suspicious," the General promptly replied. "The number of soldiers in the camp should have gone up a lot considering the strength of the Aliron Army but the spies said it doesn't seem like it."
Before Aryan Tripas could say anything, someone entered the tent.
"Is there a problem, King Aryan?"
He was Commander Favian who lead the soldiers of Azamet.
"Everything's fine, Commander Favian," Aryan Tripas promptly replied and dismissed General Arnet.
"We already have so much problem even before we can fight the real war, Your Majesty," Commander Favian stated. "Are you still confident in this war? I receive a letter from His Majesty and he wants me to report the situation. My King will never allow the soldiers to die in vain. As you know, many of my soldiers already died in that fire."
"Don't worry, Commander Favian," Aryan Tripas said, trying his best to hide the trouble he felt. "Please tell King Alanus that everything will be fine.. We will get reinforcements and more food for the soldiers too."