The safety she felt being in Kazuya's arms.
Being beside him, Lyn never felt it with anybody else.
No matter how kind they were to her, it changed nothing. Her heart only belongs to Kazuya and Kazuya alone.
'and yet, whenever I look at Rhys, there is something there I feel unsettled. My emotions become a mess.'
She pulled herself away from his arms and took a deep breath. She should have objected to the arrangements. Whenever she's left alone with Rhys, this ends up happening. Still, Lyn had to admit she was relieved. Lately, he looks worn out; she didn't think he would still have any strength left.
Her thoughts broke off when he wrapped his arms around her.
"I think we should talk Lyn."
Lyn nodded, "Ah-huh."
Instead of her getting angry at him and talking coldly, it's better if they just spoke.
Although she knew that they had a lot to speak about, she didn't expect it to turn out like this. Lyn didn't expect him to hug her like this. It's only a hug and yet she could feel his breath, her body pressed against his. Though he hugged her before previously, it's only been brief, and he usually pulls away from her almost immediately. This was the first time he's ever done something like this. Maybe he's serious this time? About chatting? In the past, he would frequently trick her regarding having a serious talk.
In the past? Lyn placed her hand briefly on her forehead as she tried to concentrate on that time frame. Is that truly what happened?
"Please hear me out," After a while, Rhys spoke up. Lyn immediately sensed something different about his tone. It's almost like he's afraid.
"I realize I may have been acting unreasonably this whole time. But I want you to understand. My feelings for you have always been genuine. I've loved you for far longer than Kazuya has," he trailed off, "Do you remember what I told you back then? I've known about you for a long time."
Lyn nodded.
"You see, I was originally the one who was supposed to go on that mission."
She immediately understood. Kazuya told her when they started to date after all. He told her everything about the mission.
'I don't want to keep anything from you.'
So it was initially Rhys.
Ah, then she understands now. His feelings for her, they didn't just emerge because he wanted to snatch her away from Kazuya. In the past Lyn misunderstood him; she thought the only reason why he liked her was because he had an inferiority complex towards Kazuya. At least that's what the elder from the Sound Kingdom told her, during her visit. Ah, now that she thought about it. The old man probably said that to mislead her. He wanted to get rid of any chances of her falling for Rhys.
Her thoughts broke off when Rhys turned her around and brushed his fingertips against the corner of her eyes, to wipe the tears away. However, the more he swept away, the closer he got. Rhys bent down and licked her tears. "They are salty."
She flinched slightly at his touch. "Rhys, don't." Lyn whispered. She doesn't want to keep acting cold. But if she treats him with kindness, it would mean entertaining his feelings for her.
"Indeed, it seems like I'll be getting myself further involved with you no matter what happens," Rhys trailed of and their gaze met each other. "Our fate might have been sealed the moment we met."
The moment that they met? He makes it sound like some sort of grand event. Kazuya was there when they met though. When she was prepared for the opening day? Lyn looked at him puzzled, but Rhys didn't answer her.
"The stirring in my heart every time we met. I didn't even know what to call it. But," Rhys extended his hand out and opened the palm of his hand, to reveal a pendant. The color had faded, but it looked familiar to her.
Lyn felt her heart beat increase. What is this? Why does she feel like this? Where has she seen this pendant before?
"If I show you this, do you understand?"
Her eyes widened. "Now to tell you what I said I would," Rhys took a deep breath before he said. "I love you."
Lyn stared at him in shock; this was the first time she heard those words from him. In the past, he would only ever say, ' your mine' ' You belong to me, you cannot be with anyone else.' It was vague, and it always left her completely unsettled. But now he's actually telling her these words. This should be the first time she is hearing his confession, and yet
"Rhys," Lyn started. But he silenced her as he pressed his finger against her lips and traced it... It was then when she realized that something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong… "You shouldn't be so kind to me," she told him, as she averted her gaze.
"I want to, why can't I? At least allow me to be kind to you."
"Because I love Kazuya."
"You are a fool." Rhys scolded her, his words nothing more than a whisper as he brought his arms around her shoulder. Rhys' hands rested on the back of her head.
"I'm sorry." Lyn apologized. "But I'm a married woman. I can't be with you Rhys."
"As I said before, married or not I won't give up."
"Won't you at least respect me? The kisses-" Lyn started.
Rhys sighed. "Impossible. You always make me want to hold you."
She glared at him, and he laughed before his expression grew serious.
"You are a fool. But I do not dislike that about you. If you cannot remember just yet, then that means me and Kazuya are on equal standing. Please understand. I have no intention in letting you go a second time."
Second time? There was never a first? But what does he mean by not remembering? Is there something she forgot?
"Queen Lyn, Rhys. We found something!" Adrien's voice broke her thoughts.
"Coming," Lyn turned to leave, but Rhys tugged on her hand.
"I made these vows inside a church, right in the area where church vows are held. So, you should take me seriously."
For the first time, Lyn looked at her surroundings, her eyes widened. Indeed, it's like what Rhys said. They were on the church platform where people held their wedding vows. But even then this didn't move her heart. She only has memories with Kazuya in places like this, even before they married each other. Rhys words shouldn't affect her, it shouldn't and yet--
' I vow, to protect only you for the rest of our lives, and if our souls are destined to meet in the next life. No, even if they aren't I will search for you again.'
Those words, aren't the ones Kazuya told her during their wedding. But the image of a church and somebody telling her these words remain in her mind. For the past five years, she frequently has dreams of her wearing a white dress and somebody telling her these words in a church.