What she promised him, huh? How could she forget the deal they made not too long ago. Rhys said he would give up on her and leave the Kingdom if she does not choose him. A selfish and cruel man that part of him has not changed. But it is normal for him to behave this way. She was the selfish one who played with his feelings. She was the one who used him.
"I can't believe this; how can my wife get married to another man?"
Her eyes widened when she heard a familiar voice. A flash of maroon-colored hair moved before her. Somebody she knew all too well, the back of her husband.
"Why?" Lyn questioned him. "Didn't I say it was already enough, that there was no use.."
Yes, she said this. They could no longer return to how they were before, and she should set him free. She gave him the chance to walk away from her, and yet why did he come back to her?
"Nngh, I heard that."
"Such a simple reply. Are you serious?"
Kazuya laughed. "Of course, I am."
The elders looked very puzzled since Kazuya still had his cloak on, nobody could see his face. Kazuya slipped his hood off, revealing his brown hair.
"Which King is missing, and who were you trying to set my wife with?"
The other nobles seemed startled.
"King—K-King—"
"You were alive?"
Kazuya laughed. "No, I rose from the dead to haunt the ones who are upsetting my wife. Now, who did you want her to marry?"
Only one of the elders bravely took a step forward. "With all due respect, your highness, due to your frequent absence. We all discussed this and believed it was best you step back and return your position as King to the original owner."
Her husband was smiling, but Lyn understood the meaning behind his deadly smile. Lyn sighed. "Alright, that is enough." She interjected. "As you can see, the King is alive and in good health. If you wish to question where he was this whole time, I am sure you can do that when we return to the Kingdom."
"B—but.."
"I would also like to remind you all. As the elders of the Kingdom, it is not your job to punish a King that has gone astray. The only one who can fulfill that duty is the wife. As elders, in the Queen's absence, you must reassure the people and take charge. But what did you do? You all came here." Lyn shook her head. "Yes, I was the one who carelessly left, and I will accept punishment for that. But elders, you should know better."
She knew her words were getting to them since they all kept their head low. "Please return to the Mist Kingdom as quickly as you can and tell Allen I shall return with the King within three days."
"Y—yes, Queen Lyn." With those words said, she watched as the men dispersed.
The moment they left, she felt her balance go unsteady. Lyn didn't hit the ground, and somebody caught her. "Kazuya."
Kazuya laughed. "You're clumsy without me."
"Fool."
Even now, his smile does not change; it is as bright as the sun. Though they have been reunited for some time now, both of them were tense most of the time and could not relax. Kazuya would smile in front of her, but that smile is strained.
A clapping sound disturbed them, and Lyn glanced over at the source. It was the man she was searching for, one of the reasons why she came all this way. Lyn heard rumors that her master was in this area.
"Master."
Ralph winked. "Before you scold me, dear Lyn, please get yourself wrapped in some warmer clothes."
Lyn looked down at her attire. Indeed she stepped out wearing her nightgown. Thanks to Rhys cloak, her bare shoulders were now covered. But it was still chilly.
She nodded and turned to Melissa. "You can stay with us too."
...…..
The sound of a gentle quill brush stroke and a warm ray of light entered the room. A few hours had passed since the events at the forest earlier.
Her gaze fell on her husband, the King of the Kingdom. Since they parted ways with Rhys, Melissa, and master, he did not leave her side. First, he rested his head on her shoulders. Lyn did not mind, and she continued her work. But now? She had to put her pen down since he childishly buried his face in her chest.
Lyn rolled her eyes. "Were you not the one who said we needed some distance?"
"Lyn, that was--"
She shook her head and quickly interjected. "I will not pretend that it didn't happen when it did." Lyn trailed off. "You decided that so easily."
Yes, this was the main reason why they got into a fight. Kazuya admitted to her one of the reasons why he stayed away so long was because of Rhys. He wanted to test not only Rhys but her. It was unfair and cruel of him to do so. What kind of person tests their wife like that? It felt like Kazuya no longer trusted her.
"I didn't want to--" Kazuya trailed off and sighed. "Listen, Lyn; you know both Rhys and you are very important to me. Unlike back then, I have many people by my side now. But, I still remember those days where it was just us three. Even now, I will put the interests of both of you before the entire Kingdom. The reason I could stay away from my duties as King so easily is because of this. I wanted to help him and you."
Help them both, huh? By surrendering his feelings? Lyn sighed, 'Why is my husband such an idiot? Smart, a genius - and yet such a fool when it comes to love.' Lyn didn't bother pondering on his words. She already knew if she tried to argue and reason with his logic, she would lose. So instead, she swiftly changed the topic.
"Do you still love me?"