"Besides, is it not time for you to return to Shaarya? That child, I am sure she misses you more than she says she does."
He has not seen Shaarya since he became Lyn's Knight. She only briefly sent a message to congratulate him and to take care of her sister. Other than that, there has been no contact with her. At first he intended to keep in touch, no matter how busy he became, he always sent a letter.
But, it didn't take him long before he realised that as long as he remained a Knight. Shaarya would not speak with him. The girl truly wanted nothing to do with this side anymore. So, she let him go to fulfil his dreams and didn't mention not keeping in touch? Obviously, if he knew about it beforehand, he would not have gone no matter what.
That girl is so silly, but even after being apart from her for five years. She is still the one he treasures the most.
"That's good." Lyn smiled at him warmly. "It seems you still love her."
"I have not had many opportunities to meet other women." Ark joked. "The Queen has been sending me on difficult missions."
Lyn laughed. "I only sent you on them because you wanted to prove yourself. But," Her tone changed. "-you never had to do that. Shaaraya would have accepted your feelings for her regardless."
"I am aware. But she is still a Princess, no matter how much she denies her royal blood. Queen Lyn, you understood that too and that's why you insisted that she keeps her title."
"Yes." Lyn nodded agreeing. "There was a time back when I was still a Princess where I thought I could change the Empire as Lyn. I thought I didn't need my title as a Princess, and I almost asked father Daichi to revoke my title. However, after Kazuya and Rhys entered my life again. I realized that I would have made a huge mistake if I did that. It's truly unfortunate that we live in a world where a person cannot make changes unless they have a title. But, since I have been blessed with one. I can use it for the greater good instead of greed like all the others. It's the same with Shaaraya, even if she wants to distance herself for now. Perhaps in the future she will need it, and that's why as long as I remain in power. I will not allow her to throw it away."
Ark understood this and part of the reason why he worked so hard was this. The girl he is in love with is a member of royalty and he is a commoner. He has to do something to prove that he is worthy enough to stand by her side. Although some people will still judge him for having a low status, his achievements the past five years will cover for it.
He is now in a position to return to the side of the girl he loves. However, if he leaves. What about this person?
"Do you plan to dismiss everybody? At least keep somebody by your side when you become the Empress." Ark was truly worried about her.
"Raven will stay."
At those words he frowns and Lyn laughs at his expression. "Do you truly resent him? Once upon a time you two were close friends. I know you have had a few misunderstandings, but you are not the type of person to hate someone."
Ark sighs deeply hearing her words. "It's true, I still worry for him. But that jerk has no idea."
"Raven means well. If he is cruel, it is only for show. He is doing it for your own good."
"Queen Lyn, your always quick to defend him. But, even I know you have no feelings for him." Ark paused. Maybe he can ask her now? "Do you know about Raven drugging you?"
"I know." Lyn nodded.
"Then-"
"I asked him too."
For a few minutes Ark could only stare at her in shock and Lyn laughs bitterly. "So, while your friendship cannot be regained easily. At least erase that misunderstanding from your mind."
"You actually-" Ark truly didn't know what to say.
"I did, I asked him to make a drug that would make me lose control of my senses and allowed him to do as he wished. Back then, I was very lonely after Rhys left and Kazuya started to disappear more frequently. The pressure from the elders grew and I knew it would be difficult for me to continue refusing all the suitors they were throwing at me. There was that incident with those nobles too. I was backed to a corner. Raven was a young and promising noble. No, I remember the first time we met in the dungeons after the war with my sister was over. He was beaten so badly and yet the first thing he asked when he saw me was. 'Are you hurt anywhere?'" Lyn laughed at the memory. "He was truly an unusual one."
"Afterwards did you two see each other often?"
"He must have told you. Yes, since he was supposedly the vice general of the regular knights. We did meet a lot and I slowly adjusted to his company. During the time I was being pressured to have a third husband, he told me that he liked me but he also said that he didn't expect anything from me. 'You can use me as you please.'"
Ark frowns hearing those words. He hates to admit it, but that was a smooth move from Raven. Had he pressured the Queen into accepting, he wouldn't change his opinion of him. But Raven respected her choice and left everything to her. A noble with a high position in the knights who became close with the Queen.
Had sir Rhys not returned, perhaps there would have been a chance for 'love' to blossom between the two. But, sir Rhys is back and the Queen looks the happiest he has seen her in so long. Ark knew that the Queen missed sir Rhys. However perhaps he underestimated the love the two shared. Seeing her smile properly for the first time in a long time made him happy too.
That's why, he doesn't want anything to destroy their relationship.
*Unedited*