Rhys brought his arms around the girl. For the first time since he met her again, Rhys felt terrible for her. Her feelings, her heart - since she became the Queen, she has not had the chance to talk to anyone. She resolved herself for the longest time. 'There is nothing wrong with Kazuya and her.' How many times has this girl foolishly tried to say such words?
How many times has she tried to convince herself that her relationship with Kazuya was just fine? He truly does regret leaving.
'I should have just sacrificed my pride and just stayed with her.' Sure he would have received criticism. But it would be better than this current situation where her emotions have become a mess.
"Rhys, I think I'm just tired." Lyn mumbled.
"Yeah, you must be," Rhys muttered. "You worked hard this entire time Lyn. Still," his eyes twitched in annoyance when he recalled something. "I tried to meet with you again before your wedding! Don't you remember?"
It happened such a long time ago. He was drunk then too, so he wasn't sure of the details. But how could Rhys forget going to Lyn, hugging her, basking in that warmth and telling her to choose him? To stop the wedding - no, he spouted some crazy nonsense about her escaping with him.
"Mm, I remember. But you don't," Lyn commented drily. "What kind of fool tries to whisk away the bride the night before the wedding?"
Ah, so there was a catch to all of this. He foolishly got himself drunk before the wedding.
"Uh, sorry." Rhys apologised.
Lyn sighed. "Really, I couldn't believe it. I waited for you for so damn long."
"Huh? Did you wait for me? Why?" Rhys looked at her surprised.
He thought he had already erased any emotions she had towards him. So, why does she remember that she was waiting for him?
"I doubted my relationship with Kazuya. Something felt very wrong to me, but I shrugged it away. I forgot a lot of things - but I couldn't forget how you were there for me for so long. Did you think I was that ungrateful and unfeeling?" Lyn questioned.
"Lyn, wait a moment," Rhys placed his hand on his forehead. "You wanted to marry me?"
"Yes." Lyn nodded.
"Are you sure you have the right person here?" Rhys still couldn't believe it.
She didn't fall in love with someone else when he wasn't looking, right? Rhys looked at the girl
Lyn deeply sighed. "I think I know who I was waiting for. But you never came back to me. Kazuya stayed by my side more often then, and we got close to each other again. So, I asked him if we could formally become a couple again."
"Lyn..." Rhys said slowly. He did not know what to say.
"I'm tired, Rhys," she repeated. "But I love Kazuya now. Whenever I see you, though, my old feelings resurface. I'm not sure if I still love you, or if I'm just thinking of all the old times."
"I'm really sorry." Rhys apologised.
This is truly his fault, if he hadn't run away this mess wouldn't have happened. But how can he possibly tell her the truth? If he tells her that his vision has been stolen in one eye, due to the battle with the dragon. She would certainly blame him, since she was the one who asked him to fight the dragon.
Rhys never blamed her for it, even though it was her order. He was the only one who could have fought the dragon. With Kazuya in that condition, it was only natural that he stayed with Lyn.
Lyn reaches over and caresses his cheeks. "I am supposed to love Kazuya. But, I can't say that I don't love you. If I truly wanted to push you away Rhys. I would have done so already, you must have realised that."
Certainly, he did and while he found it unusual. Rhys decided to take advantage of it. If she was playing games with him, he would happily oblige just to get a chance to spend some more time with her.
Rhys nods. "I do."
"Then, will you tell me why you erased my memories? Please, I have to know." Lyn mumbled.
Rhys paused and didn't reply right away. Can he truly tell her it was because he was an insecure mess? Can he truly tell her that when he saw Kazuya and her like that, he decided that Kazuya would be better for her?
"First, before I answer that. You must know how toxic our past relationship was."
Lyn nodded. "I know, Pupilliam told me."
"Then, why?" Rhys looked at her confused.
"Because I can tell that you have changed Rhys. Part of the reason why I came to see you, was because I wanted to spend some more time with the current you. Now that I have, I can safely confirm that you are a changed man now. The current you is very likeable."
Rhys didn't know how to answer that. This entire time, she was trying to get to know him again? So she could confirm whether he has changed? To confirm whether they could give their relationship another try?
His thoughts break off when Lyn tip toed and kissed his lips lightly. "I really do, like the present you."
Rhys was still speechless. What on earth is happening?
"Will you tell me now?"
Hearing those words, he snaps out of his daze. Is she trying to trap him into telling her the truth? It wouldn't surprise him if she did that. But, right now they are having an honest conversation. If she wanted to run away, she would have done so much earlier.
Unfortunately the present him, has no answers to give her. At least not the ones she wanted to hear. He still can't bring himself to tell her the truth.
Rhys scoops her up in his arms.
"To bed, you need to sleep." Rhys decided.
If she stays awake any longer he will go crazy. Lyn pouted, she clearly wasn't happy with his decision. But, he brings his hands across her eyes and soon her eyelids shut.