Rhys, ever since they met again, she no longer feels like herself. No, she no longer feels like the image of the strong Queen she created for herself the past five years.
Five entire years, the more she thought about it, the more her heart ached.
'I have missed you greatly my beloved. But, our current circumstances prevent me from telling you all that.'
"I see, then please excuse me." Rhys mumbled.
She feels a familiar sensation on her lips and Rhys is kissing her again before long. These are the lips that kissed her so often in the past, this warmth and scent-Lyn felt Rhys hands tug on her clothing.
"Kissing may not be enough for me." Rhys muttered as he briefly pulled away.
It's not? It probably isn't for him. In the past he often said something like that. But, the current him? Does he still not enjoy this? No, that's wrong.
"Let's work on making children." Rhys concluded.
Her cheeks turned redder at those words and she stepped on his feet.
'I knew it, he has returned to being shameless. That nice gentleman act didn't last long did it?'
Lyn proceeded to leave angrily. He just ruined the moment. She should never have entertained him- her thoughts break off when he grabbed hold of her wrist.
"Are you upset?" Rhys asked.
"You're acting shamelessly like you used to. What happened to being gentle?" Lyn exclaimed.
"I apologise to my Queen But since you gave me permission, I have had some unusual thoughts." Rhys emphasised the word permission and she cursed her past self.
Lyn turned to him. "I just want you to understand something Rhys. I do have feelings for you, and I don't mind us going on dates either. You're my husband just as much as Kazuya is. But your right, it's been a long time. So, we-" Her sentence fell short when he appeared directly in front of her.
His face was inches away from hers. "-will get to know each other while we are dating again, correct?"
"I-I-"
Rhys chuckled. "Your face is red like a tomato."
"Be quiet."
"Thank you Lyn, I am very happy."
Lyn didn't say anything as she looked at the bright smile on his face. Indeed, the current Rhys smile is very bad for her heart. Where does his confidence come from? She no longer understands.
'Teo, you told me to be honest. But, his actions leave me speechless.'
"Rhys, I asked Teo for his opinion earlier."
"Regarding?"
"Us having children." Lyn said slowly.
"I see, your asking your knights for permission regarding your relationship with me."
"They are very important to me. So I want them to know everything."
Rhys gently caresses her hair. "Then they shall. Amongst your knights the only ones I am not familiar with are your head knight and that young assassin."
At the mention of Miley her sweat fell. Uh, she probably won't take the news very well. So maybe it's better to start with Ark?
"He should be returning to the capital soon. I shall introduce you properly."
"Then, until then I can continue growing the grain of sand."
Lyn looked at him speechless. He is truly hung up on that isn't he? Her thoughts break off when he grabbed hold of her hand and started walking.
"So, about the skirmish that happened at the harbor. I actually want to talk to you about this and get the knights involved."
"Ah, were they people from another Kingdom?"
"You don't sound surprised."
Lyn nodded. "The Mist Kingdom has grown a lot the past five years. It is not unusual for their to be more visits from vasals from other Kingdoms."
"But charging at workers? When we arrested them there seemed to be something wrong with them. They looked like they had been drugged."
She frowned hearing those words. It's not the first time she is hearing about this. It was included in one of the reports she read before she left to search for Kazuya. Cases like that do not suit her, so she was putting it aside until she returned with Kazuya. If they worked on it together, it would be better.
Since she returned however Kazuya has been taking over all her work so she hasn't had much time to look over the tasks she left behind. It seems Kazuya still isn't dealing with this case. If so then she can take over.
"I will handle it."
"We will handle it." Rhys corrected her.
"But this is something I should do as the Queen."
"Yes it is, and I am not dismissing that. But the incident earlier gave me clearance to investigate too. My members were attacked, so as the head I have to take responsibility."
Indeed, that does make sense.
"Then, we investigate together?"
Rhys nodded. "If you do not mind."
It should delight her working with Rhys. However she recalled something that happened not too long ago. Right, when they last saw each other and she heard his story regarding Melissa, she felt bitter. She almost forgot about it when she saw him exhausted and yet waiting for her.
'I got caught up in the flow and kissed him but I was quite upset.' It only made sense for Rhys to get into another relationship. But just imagining it bothered her greatly.
"You're upset about what I said before."
".." Lyn didn't say a word, she knew she couldn't deny it.
"But don't you feel yourself growing attached to me?"
'It shows on your face.' Teo's words echoed in her head and something master said to her not too long ago too. Is it that obvious? Does she make an impression that gives away her emotions? But she thought she already concealed all trace of her emotions in front of others.
Is it different because it's Rhys?
"I-I don't want you to see Melissa again." Lyn admitted.
She knew saying this was selfish. The girl has sacrificed so much for Rhys, at the very least Rhys ought to give her some type of explanation. But Lyn felt that if they met again Rhys would slip away from her.
*Unedited*