Chapter 303 - Childhood Friends

When Athena was about to depart in the morning, Zaro Aventine was nowhere to be seen. However, she was greeted by 6 soldiers whom the King arranged to escort her back to Jerivia.

Like always, her personal guard, Aziel will also leave with her. He was the guard who followed her from Nathania when she came to Jerivia to marry Zaro Aventine.

"I heard that His Majesty leave with General Trevor and Captain Derin early in the morning," Aziel said to her with his head bowed. He looked up at the Queen and noticed the change in her expression. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

The Jerivian Queen stood still for a while and then stared at the carriage prepared for her. "Send away the soldiers, Aziel. It will be enough if you come with me."

"But Your Majesty.... "

The guard couldn't say anything more as the Queen walked past him and settled inside the carriage.

Though the 6 soldiers protested, the Queen was very determined and they couldn't change her mind. As such, they could only watch the Queen as she depart for Jerivia.

*

Queen Athena's initial plan was to return to Jerivia right away. However, when the path was separated into two, she thought twice.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?" Aziel asked when the Queen commanded to halt the carriage.

Two way. The one on the right would lead her to Jerivia but the one on the left would lead her to Qalagon.

"Morin and Aunt Lorey reside in the Southern Palace," the Queen muttered, staring at the path on the left. "That means if we follow this path, I might be able to meet them without having to enter the capital."

"Your Majesty, Qalagon is an enemy for both Nathania and Jerivia now. You can't go there. It's dangerous," Aziel promptly said.

"But I miss Morin," the Queen argued. "It's been more than a year since I last saw him." She narrowed her eyes and muttered, "I don't know why my father did this."

"Athena -"

"Let's go there, Aziel. I'm sure that I will be fine."

Aziel stared at the Queen who was also his childhood friend and then sighed. "Must you always be this stubborn? What if something happens to you?"

"I don't really care -"

"But I care," the guard protested before the Queen could even finish her words. However, Athena wasn't offended at all.

"Then just protect me like always," she said with a little smile.

"It won't be good if your husband finds out this," he reminded her but she was still unfazed by it.

"He will be too busy to even know it," was her simple response.

"But -"

"Please Aziel... just take me there."

Aziel noticed the pain in her voice and eyes. After all, he was the one who knew her the best.

In fact, he didn't understand why she chose this path while she deserved much better.

He finally relented and they followed the path which would lead them to Qalagon.

* * *

Lorey Helev was taken aback when a guard informed her that someone who claimed to be her niece came to see her.

Was it really Athena?

She couldn't believe it.

Not to mention that Arin and Iria were at the Southern Palace right now.

The couple return from Cedore and rather than going straight to the capital, they came to visit them. However, they were in their chamber when the guard came and they had no idea about the news. Her husband was also resting in his chamber with Morin accompanying him.

The former Queen decided to check if the one who came was really Athena. So, she went to the gate with the guard who brought the news to her.

Much to her surprise, the one waiting for her was really Athena, the only daughter of her older brother.

"Athena," she called out and walked towards her. "Is that really you?"

"Aunt Lorey," Athena greeted her with a smile like always. "How have you been?"

Lorey Helev hugged her niece. "I'm doing fine. How long has it been?"

"I bet it's more than a year," the Jerivian Queen replied and pulled back.

The former Queen looked at the guard who accompanied her niece and raised a brow. "Aziel?"

"Your Majesty." Aziel bowed to greet the former Queen of Qalagon who was the Princess of his kingdom.

"Aziel insisted to come with me when I go to Jerivia for the alliance marriage," Athena explained to her aunt.

Lorey Helev raised a brow and looked at the young man. "You're so capable and if you stayed at Nathania, you will easily become the Captain of Royal Guards. Why?"

"I asked him that often but he never answer," Athena said with a frown. "My father tried to make him the Captain but he turned down and followed me instead."

"I just want to do my duty," Aziel spoke up. "I've protected Athena since she was a child and I only want to continue that."

Queen Lorey glanced at her niece and Aziel who were friends since childhood despite having a relationship of a Princess and a guard.

Why would a royal guard turn down the offer to become a Captain and follow the Princess to another kingdom instead?

Maybe he cherished their friendship than anything else or...

Maybe he didn't see her as just a friend.

The former Queen promptly brushed off her thoughts and smiled at her niece and Aziel once more. "Come inside. I bet Morin will be very happy to see you."

Athena nodded and they finally walked past the gate and made their way to the palace.

Just as the former Queen said, Prince Morin was very happy to see his older cousin again after a long time. He rushed to Athena the moment he see her and hugged her while his cousin exchanged his hug with a smile.

Meanwhile, Lorey Helev approached her husband and told him that she will explain it to him later. However...

The door was opened and Arin walked inside with Iria. When their gaze landed on the Queen of Jerivia who was standing just a few steps away, their eyes grew wide!

What was this?