Y*u Know That I'm In Love With Y*u

"No!" Crown Prince Zaro Aventine immediately opposed my declaration. He rise from his seat and walk towards me. He stand in front of me and look at his father, the King. "I absolutely refuse this idea." He declared firmly.

Everyone in the room are left in a dilemma. Crown Prince Zaro is smart and capable. The King also cherish him and trust him more than anyone. So, if he opposed to my suggestion, there is very little chance to succeed.

I grab the Crown Prince in his arm. "Please, Your Highness. It's for the Kingdom." I pleaded with him.

He is my best friend who is very precious to me; so I didn't want to upset him or hurt him.

"Why? Why must it be you? You are only 20; but you already sacrificed yourself for this Kingdom for almost a decade!" He scowled. It's the first time I witness him this angry.

Everyone in the room knows the tight bond between me and the Crown Prince. Whenever I am in a difficult situation, he always take my side. So they are not amaze by Zaro's protective behaviour. But they didn't expect him to be this worked up.

"I'm the one who knows the Princess best. Besides, I always wear a mask, so they won't know that I'm not the Princess because they have never seen me or the Princess. It would be best if I do." I stood firm in my decision, unwilling to back down easily.

Right now, the only thing I can think of is to delay the war and I'm willing to do anything for that.

"Enough!" The King rise from his seat and stared at Zaro with a disappointing look on his face. "Commander Iria is right. It is only for a short time. Do you think I would allow my most capable Commander to be in another Kingdom forever? Get ahold of yourself, Crown Prince."

"But, Father -"

"I already made a decision. We will do as Commander Iria's suggested." The King ignored the Crown Prince and declared his decision.

Though I'm relief that the King agreed to my suggestion, I finds it hard to believe that he completely ignored Zaro's opinion. This has never happened before.

And it seems like I'm not the only one. The two ministers present in the court are also equally surprise as me!

Before I realize, Zaro stormed out of the court room with his eyes dangerously fierce out of anger.

* * *

After talking with the King for a while about the war and the alliance marriage, I go to the Crown Prince's room to meet him to calm his anger.

When I reach there, I see his right hand man, Mario and some of the servants who are anxiously standing near the door of the Crown Prince's room. Mario came running to me as soon as he saw me.

"I'm so glad you're here, Commander." He worriedly glanced at the Crown Prince's room. "He won't come out and he didn't allow us to come in either. He smashed many things and I think he even get hurt from that. Please help us."

In the past, I was the only one who could calm down Zaro. He never listened to anyone, except me. But this time, I'm the one who angered him to this extent. Will he listen to me? I'm not sure. But still I decided to give a try.

I slowly enter his room and see him standing near the window. I know that he heard the sound of my footsteps but he didn't even glance at me!

I calmly pick up all the reports and the pieces of the vase that are lying on the floor. Maybe he was in such a rage that he threw them all.

I glance at him again and again as I pick up the scrolls until I notice the blood drops.

I ran to him immediately and grab his hand. "You're bleeding! You should not hurt yourself."

Zaro coldly brush away my hands. "Why do you even care? Just leave me alone!" His voice was cold as ice. He never talked to me that way to the point where it feels foreign to me.

I wonder if I should just retreat now. But when I look at his wounded hand, I refuse to do so.

If I fail to treat the wound, then no one else can. He is the most stubborn person I ever know!

I pull him and make him sit on the couch. I look for some ointments and finds it in no time. I also know that his gaze never leave me the whole time but I pretend to not know.

I'm aware of his feelings; but I cannot look at him the same way he look at me. So, it's best for me to act dumb.

No matter what, he is still my best friend whom I used to lean on in the past. I clean his wound and apply some ointments in it; but still he keeps on staring at me.

"Will you really marry the Crown Prince of Qalagon?" He asked me. His voice was very gentle compared to before.

"It's just for a short while. Besides it is only an alliance marriage, nothing more than that." I calmly answered him. I avoided his gaze the whole time and keep on treating his wound.

"Then what about me?"

His hopeless voice made me stop whatever I was doing. I lowered my eyes and quietly stare at the floor. The truth which I used to ignore for years is finally opened right before my eyes; but I didn't want to face it. I keep my mouth shut and maintain my silence.

"You know, isn't it? You know that I'm in love with you for a long time." Zaro confessed to me for the time. Then I finally realized that I cannot run away anymore. I must face the truth now.

"Zaro." I lifted my head to look at him. "It's impossible for us."

"Why?" He instantly retorted. "Are you afraid of others opinion? The people loves and admire you. My father cherish you. What else do you need?"

"You're my friend who will soon become the King; but I'm a Commander who will always leads the army. I cannot be the Queen of this Kingdom."

"But -"

"You're the person I cherish the most in this world. I didn't want to lose you." I shook my head urging him not to say anymore.

Zaro always care about my opinion. He never force me to things I dislike. Even this time, he reluctantly back down realizing that he has make me uncomfortable.

"Don't worry about me. You know I'm strong enough to protect myself. I will spent some time there in Qalagon and after a few months, I will return safe and sound." I reassured him with a smile.....