The moment they entered the room, The General grabbed Lyn and observed her from head to toe before glaring at him, "Even if you're married, I heard she's sick. Control yourself."
Control?!
"I have!" he didn't touch her, not even kiss her passionately until earlier. Kazuya refrained himself from doing anything.
Lyn laughed.
"Dear wife, help me out."
She made her way over to him and clung to his arm, "It's okay Uncle, Kazuya has done nothing. I was started to think he was sick and tired of me, or maybe he was having health issues not getting aroused with me making such obvious moves."
Kazuya stared at his wife in disbelief, what moves? He thought to himself for a moment before he realized what she meant. So his wife's been sending him signals since they met again? He was too focused on his health that he failed to see the signs.
"Well, I'm just glad to see you both, and it isn't just me."
Huh? Kazuya looked over and spotted somebody else.
"Brother!!!"
There standing in the doorway was none other than Lyn's brother, Prince Andrew. He still had the same strong and overwhelming presence, despite his health having worsened since they last met. 'He's lost a lot of weight,' Kazuya thought. He received the news regarding the man's wife, while he seldom interacted with the woman before - Kazuya knew she was Lyn's good friend. One of the few who treated her well then.
"I see you haven't changed, still taking your sweet time. I wondered when you would introduce me," Andrew trailed off, his gaze met his, and Kazuya nodded.
Lyn let's go of him and stood in front of her brother; it looked like she had
Andrew took a few steps forward before he patted her hair, "Sorry, for worrying you."
....
"Brother, um.."
"I'll only stay for tonight, and then I will set off."
"Ah, but if you're tired…"
Andrew shook his head, "There is unrest amongst the people. Naturally, they would. While not many believed you got kidnapped, right now you aren't in the Main city. With both the King and Queen missing, and a King from another land taking charge. People are uneasy."
Indeed, this was one of the reasons why Kazuya didn't think to bring Lyn with him. Even with the previous reign, with King Daichi always missing. As long as Queen Orthez was there, then nobody complained.
"That would help, Lyn doesn't want to leave me."
Lyn pouted, "You can't get rid of me. I'm staying!"
Kazuya laughed as he reached over and caressed her cheeks, "I know my dear wife," he's glad to see that she still has this childish side of herself.
He felt the General's gaze on his, and his sweat fell. Hey now, at least allow them to flirt.
"Big Brother, you left so suddenly."
"I apologize, my mental state was not good, and I received an interesting message. So I had to confirm," Andrew trailed off, "It turned out Gabrielle did leave the Rose palace a few times after we moved there," he pulled out a few documents from his bag and placed it on the table, "Are you familiar with this?"
"The heaven stone,"
Andrew nodded, "I hear it's written in the Sound Kingdom's ancient language."
Yeah if Lady Gabrielle really was researching this, then she must of had a hard time. Even Sound Kingdom natives find it difficult. Fortunately for them all, he's a genius - even if it's the first time seeing this. Kazuya could quickly decipher everything. Before he could read out the words on the first page, somebody else did.
It was Lyn; she was reciting the words on the documents so quickly. Everybody was too stunned to speak. Once Lyn finished the first page, he broke the silence.
Kazuya laughed, "My wife is so smart."
"Did I do something wrong?"
Kazuya wanted nothing more than to kiss her for being so cute. But under the watchful eyes, he knew how dangerous it was. To his surprise, though, Lyn leaned forward and kissed his lips, "My reward Kazuya, didn't I do something good?"
"..."
The two men who sat across the table looked at her speechless. Kazuya knew Lyn seldom showed this side in public.
"Lyn dear, not in front of everyone," Kazuya muttered in her ear.
"Okay, I get it. It's our secret."
"...I see you've gotten a lot bolder dear sister and dear brother-in-law," Andrew started.
His sweat fell, and now it's coming from him — why can't people leave him with Lyn in peace?
Seeing how she was leaning on to him, Kazuya wraps his arms around her. He doesn't usually like such public signs of affection. However, if he leaves pretty Lyn alone, then she would get angry.
"Kazuya, Kazuya, are we flirting?"
Kazuya responded to this by burying his head in her neck.
Lyn laughed, "Okay. Were flirting."
Look how precious her smile is.
….
"What aren't you telling her?" Kazuya asked once Lyn had fallen asleep. Realizing that she would probably try to get up again, he laid her down on the large couch.
"It seems like I'm dying too,"
"That's not a funny joke," Kazuya glared at him.
Andrew laughed, "I wish I were joking."
"..How come?"
"I don't know who made the wish. Maybe it was me. But it seems like I'm bound to die when Gabrielle's soul returns to the heavens."
"A curse?"
"Yes, something similar to the jades that control yours and my sister's fate. Except mine is different, the solution is something not doable. I have to meet with Gabrielle's soul, her ghost," Andrew explained.
A troubled look appeared on his face, "That sounds familiar. I think the Witch Aya and Rhys share a bond like that."
"Oh?"
"Don't get me wrong, Rhys has always loved Lyn. But a witch can manipulate these things," Kazuya paused, "Witch Ayah is the one behind Lady Gabrielle's poisoning."
"She teamed up with the Secret Agent."
Kazuya nodded, "It seems like we underestimated her. She has far more power than we can imagine."
The Snow Kingdom, the closer they get to the main town. The more mysteries are revealed bit by bit. The members of Queen J's circle, Kazuya didn't realize how much of a dangerous bunch they were before.