Goodbye, Jerivia

I walk out of Zaro's room after he finally gave me his consent. Though he is still feeling uneasy, I'm glad that he trusts me. But I knows one thing for sure. No matter what, I only look at Zaro as a friend and nothing more.

I bump into Prince Orius Aventine as soon as I left the room. He is the King's younger son and the twin brother of Princess Iria; so we are the same age.

"You still care about my brother so much." He said to be with a malicious smile.

King Tobias have three children and Prince Orius is the only one whom I didn't befriend. But there is a reason.

"I'm only doing what a friend should do, Your Highness." I slightly bowed and walk past him.

"Why do you only treat me differently? Is it because I'm not as powerful as my brother?" Prince Orius snapped.

I turn around and look at him. "No. I don't care about power at all. Look at your heart, Your Highness. Then you will know why I am like this."

Since our childhood days, I'm aware of how vicious and power hungry this young man is! He will do anything to achieve power. I also know that he has been vying for the throne; so I'm always very careful when it comes to him. Maybe this was also the reason why the King didn't favour him.

* * *

Two days have passed and my soldiers led by my two trusted subordinates, Jolene and Zire arrived at the capital. A huge feast is also prepared to celebrate our victory but I don't attend the feast. I'm busy preparing as I will leave for Qalagon tomorrow.

No one knows that I arrived earlier than my soldiers. No one knows that I didn't attend the feast. It's possible because I have a substitute and it's Jolene. She is the only female in my Army besides me.

Whenever I'm at war or outside my house, I always wear a mask; so many people didn't know my real face. When I'm absent, Jolene will take my place. Our figure is very similar, she knows how to talk like me and act like me. She is also good at combat and sword fighting; so she never got busted.

I can go to Qalagon with ease. For a few months, Jolene will be me; so that my Army won't lose their morale. No one will find out that the one who went to Qalagon is me!

I still didn't tell anyone that I will be going to Qalagon to marry the Crown Prince, not even my most trusted soldier, Rion. I will tell my three trusted subordinates after tonight's feast.

* * *

The time has come. Rion, Jolene and Zire all gathered at my room. They all paid full attention to what I have to say.

After explaining to them about the Princess condition, I take the initiative to tell them. "I will be going to Qalagon in the Princess's place."

The three of them glance at each other in disbelief. They didn't expect this at all. They even thought that their Commander has gone crazy!

"No. I'm against this, Commander." Jolene was the first to speak up and Zire support her right away. I expect this much. I look at Rion to know his opinion.

"You never did anything recklessly, Commander. I always trust you wholeheartedly no matter what you did. But this time, I also find it hard to believe." Rion remarked with respect.

"No less than three months and no more than six months. We only need that much time." I said to them. They all look at me with a confuse face.

"His Majesty told me that the Qalagons are secretly preparing for war. They only use the marriage as a cover." I explained.

"If that's the case, that's the more reason why you should not go, Commander. It's very dangerous." Zire opposed.

I'm very displease by his words. "If it's dangerous for me, then how dangerous would it be for an average woman! If I knew beforehand that the Qalagons never want peace with us, I will surely opposed to this alliance marriage. But now, the war with Helsia has made us weak than before; so we have no choice."

"But Commander, your safety is -"

"Zire! Did you forgot that it's our duty to protect each and every single citizen of Jerivia?! Did you expect me to send an innocent woman to a lion's den, knowing how dangerous it is?!" I snapped.

Everyone says that I'm a ruthless Commander. It is right, but also wrong at the same time. I never show mercy to my enemies but my sword never harm innocent people either.

There are times when I need to harm or even kill my own soldiers; but those soldiers are always the one who break the rules or the one who betrayed our Kingdom. Punishment for mistakes is a must in the Army. That's how I maintain discipline in my Army.

Zire instantly drop to his knees when he witness my rage. "I apologize, Commander. I was wrong!"

I close my eyes for a second and open again to calm down myself. "Prioritize me over the people once again; then I'll kill you with my own hands."

"I understand, Commander!"

I'm disappointed. I didn't trained them that way! I told them all the time that the people and the Kingdom must always be our first priority. We must always put ourselves last. I already said so many times that I thought it would be engraved in their heart!

"Rise." I commanded Zire and he comply right away.

"I cannot finish this mission without the help from all of you." I calmly continues. "Like we always did, Rion will go with me as the Princess bodyguard. Jolene and Zire will stay here to manage the Army."

I look at Jolene and Zire. "Reinforce our Army and prepare for a war with Qalagon. When you are ready, I will be able to return." I stated firmly.

The three of them agreed with me as they see how determined I am. Besides they knew very clear that I never change my decision once I made up my mind. We have worked together for 5 years and we knew each other very well.

Then we spent the whole night planning for the reinforcement of our Alewine Army.

* * *

I stand next to the carriage which I will use for my journey to Qalagon. Even though we are neighbouring Kingdoms, the journey will take at least four days.

Some Ministers along with the Royal family are also present. But only the royal family members and a very few most trusted Ministers of the King knows that I'm not the Princess as I wear a veil. I also dress up like a Princess.

Jolene came disguising as me. Zire cannot come because it will arouse suspicion. The same goes for Rion as everyone knows that he is my right hand man. People will finds it strange if he goes with the Princess; so he will wait us outside the capital.

Crown Prince Zaro and the King hug me and bid me farewell while the others wish me a safe journey. A few soldiers and Minister Gerin will escort me all the way to Qalagon.

Then I get inside the carriage and glance the palace through the windows again for one last time.

"Goodbye, Jerivia." I bid goodbye to the Kingdom which I love with all my heart and the Kingdom which I use to protect with my life.....