"But you know Lyn, I don't think you should be so carefree," Ayah mumbled.
"Carefree?"
Ayah sighed, "Do you know why it was so easy for us to bring you down to the Snow Kingdom?"
Lyn blinked, "Because of Kazuya?"
"Not just that, it's because you're a sincere person. Your foolish honest and carefree that you show your emotions on your face."
"Is that a compliment?" As Lyn debated about this, she suddenly exclaimed. "Right, Rhys and I have to attend that ball later! I need a dress. I didn't bring anything fancy with me."
Ayah blinked, she's so random. "There are fancy dress shops over there, and some simple ones," Ayah pointed to the street opposite.
Lyn's eyes sparkled, "Thank you! I'm glad you came with me."
She gets happy over such simple things — what a weird person. The two of them enter one of the shops opposite. The moment they entered Ayah knew they were attracting attention. Ayah kept her head down and looked at the ground. She didn't want to look at anybody. If they saw her face, then they'd know who she is. It's a good thing she brought her hat - though her mask would be more convenient during these times.
Her gaze fell on Lyn, who was wearing her cloak with a hood. 'Rather than herself, she is more worried about this one.' Lyn has a bad habit of not noticing how much attention she is gathering. Even with the cloaked hood, people can tell that she is a beautiful person.
"Now now what should I wear. ~ "Lyn hums happily.
Ayah stares at her companion; her eyes went wide in disbelief. She's far too carefree if you ask her. Come to think of it, she's been in this chirper happy mood since they came back from the meeting two days ago.
"Say, Lyn," Ayah didn't know how to approach the topic. But, she decided it would be better to be upfront.
"Hm?" Lyn was half-listening as she browsed through the dresses. It actually surprised Ayah seeing her like this. The person she got to know back at the academy didn't care much about dresses. Then again, Lyn is a Queen now; she has to be mindful of her appearance.
"Something happened between you and Kazuya didn't it?"
At that comment, the black-haired girl freezes in mid-sentence, bull's eye. "I get that you're alright with him touching you now. But still, having too much sex isn't good for a person body is it?"
"W--hat are you talking about! We didn't have sex!"
Ayah rolled her eyes, why does the Queen get so flustered over these matters? Then again, she was the same back then too. Her gaze softened, Lyn hasn't changed much, huh?
"You didn't?"
"How could we possibly do so in an area like that?"
"So the setting is the issue."
"Ayah!" Lyn exclaimed.
"I am only reading. It's just recently you've been really happy. Though you were cheering up slightly before, you still had that look in your eyes whenever you came back from missions. Kazuya must have done something to make you happy." Ayah concluded. The timing aside, only that guy can do something to make her happy.
"I guess he touched me. But it was only kissing and yet despite it, somehow I got that feeling that I was really loved and treasured. Kazuya ..is similar to Rhys and me; he can't express his emotions properly through words. But he's always proven it through his actions…." she laughs lightly, "I suppose I'm not making much sense right now…"
Ayah shook her head, "No, I understand. You're happy, aren't you?"
Lyn nodded.
"There's also Rhys, well," Ayah saw the complicated look on her face. "He's also made you happy, right?"
"Ah-huh."
"I'm glad that he didn't choose me in the end."
Her companions violet orbs softened, "Making a joke about now is pretty tasteless of you. But, I too am relieved that things ended up the way they did. I'm not disrespectful towards the feelings you had for Rhys. However, for you, I know already that a destined partner is waiting for you and that person wasn't Rhys." Her eyes went wide, "I said it before didn't I? Although I'm sure at that time you probably thought I was rambling. But I'm sure it exists, a destined partner that has been tied to you since birth." Lyn smiles, "Ne, does Ayah know who hers is now?"
"Not yet."
"I see." Although her companion didn't press any questions, she started humming, signaling that she knew she was lying.
"Lyn, I'll help you choose a dress."
"You will?"
....
"I love you!"
"..I love you!"
"I've always loved you, Luke."
"Luke, you're the only one for me! I love you!"
"My feelings for you are very strong, Luke. They have been growing ever since I was a child."
Even after these several tries, everything sounded wrong to her. This won't work at all. "Ugh! How do I say it?!" Ayah buried her face in her hands and sat on the tree stump behind her. Why was she in the forest in the middle of the night?
She had feelings for many years, and after much deliberation, she'd decided to tell him how she felt. It was simply impossible for her to hide the truth about her feelings for him any longer. Now, if only she could say it the right way!
Perhaps it would be silly to some that she was in the forest, practicing how she was going to reveal. 'It's the middle of the night.' Well, it was only 9:00 PM; the darkness of the night has never bothered her too much.
She figured that since she's the traitor anyway, she might as well say it. She might as well say it, to get rejected, and then she could indeed focus on her mission. After she says it, she won't have any more regrets. No more regrets, huh? She wondered if that was possible at this stage. A traitor, huh? Luke will definitely hate her. But Ayah knew she could no longer turn back; she wants to make it up to Lyn. What's more, she wants to save Queen J.
She already committed so many crimes over the last few years. All because she was brainwashed and influenced. Even if she regretted it, Ayah knew she couldn't bring back the lives of the people she harmed. That's why all she can do now is live with those regrets.
Ayah extended her hand out, and a massive ball of light appeared in her hands. She closed her eyes. If all she can do now is to atone for her sins, then she will start with helping Lyn.
She wonders how those two are doing right now. They should be at the ball gathering. By the time they come back, she should have dealt with all the intruders.