*UNEDITED*
"Still it seems like no matter how much time passes by, these kids never seem to change. Ralph wanted to help Rhys get over Lyn, but the latter does not seem to be over Rhys either. A deep sigh crossed his lips as he swiftly changed the topic. "The situation in the Mist Kingdom is very bad, both of them need to return."
While Lyn left somebody capable in charge, it was not enough. Prince Allen is still an outsider. If it were the past when they were still engaged and he meddled into the Mist Kingdom affairs it would be fine. But Prince Allen is no longer the fiance, him intervening this much will only cause more problems. Surely young Lyn expected this to happen. Was she waiting for that person to return? By that person Ralph referred to the First Prince of the Mist Kingdom.
Ralph tried to search for the man known as the thunder blade, but unfortunately not even he could find him. Where could that man have disappeared too?
"I know."
"Yet you selfishly kept Lyn here."
Rhys clenched his fist. "She was the one who came here! What am I supposed to do? Push her away?"
"Yes."
At that comment Rhys grabbed his collar and angrily said. "Now that I think it through. Did you not predict that Lyn would choose me in the end? Heh, were you joking around to make me feel better? Surely a great magician like you knew what the outcome would be?"
"Yes, yes I did."
"Then why didn't you say something sooner?" Rhys snapped. "If you said something before then Lyn would not have had to suffer."
Ralph sighed when he saw Rhys growing more agitated. There is no use having a conversation when he is like this. He extended his hand out and knocked him out from the back. Right at that moment the doors creeped open and stepped out the young girl named Lyn.
She frowned when she saw Rhys. "Did you have to hurt him?"
"Relax he isnt hurt." Ralph placed Rhys on the couch.
Lyn walked over and bent down. Ralph could not miss how Lyn looked at Rhys. "Do you still like him?"
"Maybe a little. I haven't seen him in so long though, so I honestly can't tell. Also, during this time, such feelings are not necessary."
"Indeed, I can't deny that."
"Tell me master." Lyn mumbled. "Once this is over, what can I do for Rhys?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I am not too sure. If he found a place for himself then I could let him go. But it seems like he hasn't, so…"
"Lyn, you missed him?"
Lyn nodded. "Yes. But I missed Allen too, I regretted how things ended between us. I liked him but in the end I gave up on him far too easily. I could not see what was right in front of me. Sometimes I think if I got together with Allen instead, things would not be so complicated. Allen had feelings for me, but because he did not express it like the others, I failed to see it."
"I don't think that was necessarily the case."
An awkward expression appeared on Lyn's face and Ralph looked down. "Apologies, I understand you had your reason for behaving that way."
Lyn shook her head and she bent down to gently kiss Rhys forehead. "It is only normal for you to say such a thing. As Rhys master, you must be worried about him too."
"I am worried for both of you."
"I hope he fixes things with Melissa soon."
At her words Ralph's eyes widened. It was a good thing he knocked out Rhys using his magic, if Rhys heard that it would be a huge blow. Still he reached over and patted the girls hair. This child has not changed at all. She may be stronger now but she still has moments where she is indecisive. It seems like there is still something he can do for her, no for all of them.
...…
Following morning they set off for the Mist Kingdom. It would take them a week or so to get there since they were in the furthest corner of the Empire. The first half of the journey was awfully silent. Or rather Ralph looked up from the book he was reading. He watched young Kazuya silently worrying and fussing about Lyn. Lyn kept replying awkwardly as she stole glances at Rhys who had fallen asleep on Melissa's shoulder.
"Queen Lyn." Melissa suddenly spoke up. "Please do not think I came here to take him from you."
Oh?
"I heard he was back for awhile now, but I did not go to him right away. Over the years many guys have proposed to me and showed me they were sincere. But I could not forget Rhys, that's why I decided to meet him once again. I wanted to settle the feelings in my heart."
"Why are you telling me this?" Lyn said sharply.
"Is it wrong? You're still in love with him." Melissa glanced over at Kazuya. "You're aware of that too."
Ralph's lips curve to a smile. What an interesting girl. Ralph did not think much of this young woman who his apprentice cared for. Nor did he think much of what happened after this woman left him. Ralph was a high level magician, not only could he see glimpses of the future, he saw what was in the depths of people's hearts. That's why he understood better than anybody. No matter how much Rhys cared for this Melissa woman, he only saw Lyn in his eyes.
The air suddenly became thicker and Ralph chuckled. It seems like he should say something, before he could speak a word. Rhys suddenly woke up. "Are we there yet?" He asked nobody in particular. But Ralph noticed that his gaze was on Lyn.
"If it's the nearest town, we should arrive in a few minutes."
"I see." Rhys turned to Melissa. "Are you still staying with us?"
"If I can, I did not bring any money with me."
"It's cool, you can share a room with me."
At that comment he saw a menacing aura wrap around Lyn. Ralph blinked. It seems he underestimated his pupils' growth. Rhys must have undone the magic he overheard what Lyn said, so now the boy was deliberately making her mad.
Kazuya suddenly opened the window. "The view looks great. Lyn, maybe we can take a walk later?"
"Of course my husband, that sounds great."
His sweat fell at Lyn's response. It seems he will certainly have to watch over these kids.