"Kazuya." Lyn said softly. "Ever since our marriage, you seldom came in here because you wanted to respect my feelings for Rhys. But, I am not heartless enough to not allow you to use the bed. You've been staying in a room that has been abandoned, has no fire place and is in the most isolated room in the castle. It's even worse than my old chambers back when I was a Princess. You've just made your condition worse."
The girl was speaking in a soft voice as not to give him a headache but he could tell that she was very upset.
"Lyn, I-I was just trying to-" Kazuya paused. What was he actually trying to do? Even when Lyn fell in love with him again, he still stayed clear of these chambers.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
He truly felt ashamed of his behaviour. Lyn truly had feelings for him again. But, he could never erase his unease. 'The only reason she fell in love with me again is because Rhys erased her memories.' He tried to convince himself that whenever he got caught up in the flow, whenever he felt happy being with her, and whenever he touched her.
This is wrong, this is a sin.
"You should be sorry." Lyn had tears in her eyes as she flung her arms around him and hugged him tighter. "I know our relationship has become strange Kazuya. But, I want to stay by your side until the very end. I want to find a cure for you, and make sure your better. I don't want to abandon you. Your still so very dear to me."
His gaze softens hearing her words and he managed to raise his hand and pat her back. "I understand Lyn, I won't do anything foolish anymore and I'll stay here. I am sure I still have some time to rest before they march into our lands."
Lyn nods. "Even if they use magic, it won't be easy to penetrate the defences. However like I said, they managed to get in using the caves before. We have increased the defences there but it may not hold up long enough."
"If Raven worked on the device, we should have a bit more time."
"I don't know if I am ready to face her." Lyn mumbled.
"I know Lyn."
This entire time Lyn has remained strong and led everybody as the Queen. But Kazuya knew she was suffering inside. Nobody wants to hurt their friend.
"If only I said something about Jen's state. Back when we were in the academy, there were a few times where she acted up and I sensed the demon's presence then. However, back then my knowledge on dark magic was very limited and I don't see people with dark magic as evil because of Rhys. So, I was not aware of the consequences."
Kazuya sat up and brushed his hands across the girl's eyelids. "Ssh Ly n, you don't have to keep blaming yourself. Even if you noticed it, it's normal for you not to say anything. She is your friend after all."
If Lyn had truly mentioned something back then, Queen Jennifer rights to the throne would have been revoked and they would have placed the girl in confinement.
"Kazuya, did you-" Lyn shakes her head. "Were you the one who placed Jen in isolation?"
"Yes, I thought if I could keep her in there. I would find some way to extract the demon, but the records I found in the Snow Kingdom were very hard to decipher. There were parts that had deliberately been cut off. Moreover, my condition started to deteriorate. It became harder for me to read and do anything."
Lyn shakes her head as she looks at him with a tearful expression. "You have done enough. I will get Rhys and Raven to look at the records. Please just focus on regaining your strength. I want to ask you not to participate in the final fight. But, I know it is futile stopping you."
"Mm, did Rhys tell you about the jades and the ceremony?"
"Yes. I think Jen must have made a connection too. The final battle will be in the Mist Kingdom, it will be near that place." Lyn trails off. She suddenly seemed nervous. "D-does it have to be another marriage ceremony? C-can't we just put the jades in the slot-?"
Kazuya laughs seeing her reaction. "You already had a ceremony with Rhys before. Why are you still acting so nervous? "
"T-that's because the first time happened when I had no memories, a wedding is.." Lyn's cheeks were red and she shyly fiddled with a strand of her hair.
'Indeed, my decision was not wrong after all. Lyn is better off with Rhys.'
Kazuya was about to say something when the doors opened revealing Rhys. He immediately walks over to Lyn and kissed her cheek. "Hey, have you eaten?" Rhys stares at the bag in the corner and frowns. "Eat those, you'll need it."
"I was waiting for you."
Rhys gaze is gentle. "I asked the servants to bring something more filling, we can have those for deserts later."
'Even if I am not here, these two will be fine.' For a long time he was still worried about their relationship, especially when Rhys broke contact with him for a year. After the jade war, the contact with Rhys became less frequent. But, Kazuya understood why and respected his decision.
However, when Lyn fell in love with him again, he felt guilty and tried to get Rhys to come back. Rhys eventually found out the reason why and told him that he wouldn't be in touch for a while. Just like that, he didn't hear from his friend for an entire year.
Rhys pulls up another chair and looks at him with a troubled gaze. "So, I had a look at that device Raven made. It's really well made, but I think if we use your sound waves it will amplify the magic inside."
Kazuya laughs. "Is that all? I can do that no problem." He attempts to stand up, only to feel a wave of dizziness.
"Not today you're not." Rhys said sharply. "You need complete bed rest. When I felt your pulse earlier, I really wanted to scream at you."
"It's fine."
Lyn who had been holding onto his hand squeezed it and he yelped in pain. She looked at him angrily.
"You're not fine."
"R-right, I'm not fine." Kazuya replied.
He almost forgot how scary she can get when she is angry.
*Unedited*