**Chapter 7: The Betrayal Unveiled**
As Lyka lay in the infirmary, recovering from her burns, the days seemed to stretch endlessly. The solitude of her thoughts was interrupted by a visitor—Imasa, her trusted comrade and the only friend she felt she had left. His presence brought a momentary light to her heavy heart, a reminder that she was not entirely alone.
"Imasa," Lyka greeted warmly, a faint smile gracing her lips despite her injuries. "It's good to see you, my friend."
Imasa approached her bedside, his demeanor seemingly unchanged, yet a subtle shift in his eyes revealed something darker. Lyka, eager for companionship and support, was unaware of the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.
Their conversation began in the usual manner, with Imasa inquiring about her recovery and offering words of encouragement. But as the dialogue continued, his tone shifted, revealing a deeper, more unsettling truth.
"Lyka," Imasa began, his voice taking on a sharp edge, "I've come to tell you something that has weighed on me for too long."
Lyka listened, her expression turning from warmth to confusion as Imasa's words unfolded. "I betrayed your honor, Lyka," he confessed, his eyes narrowing with a mix of disdain and satisfaction. "My hatred for Pyhy clouded my judgment, and I relished seeing you humiliated before him."
The revelation was a dagger to Lyka's heart, the betrayal cutting deeper than any physical wound. Her mind raced, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of Imasa's treachery. This was no longer the friend she thought she knew, but a stranger driven by envy and resentment.
"They were right about your arrogance," Imasa continued, his voice dripping with malice. "And now, it seems that I will be the next to stand beside King Opych as the leader of the village and his right hand."
Before Lyka could respond, before she could correct his delusion with the truth of Epetuti's appointment, Imasa turned on his heel. His laughter echoed through the chamber, a mocking sound that lingered long after he had left, leaving Lyka alone with her anguish.
The visit, meant to be a moment of solace, had instead unveiled the depths of Imasa's deception. Yet, even in her pain, Lyka found a flicker of resolve. She understood now that true strength lay not in titles or accolades, but in integrity and the courage to face betrayal with dignity.
As she lay in the quiet of the infirmary, Lyka vowed to rise from the ashes of her downfall, her spirit tempered by the trials she had endured. She would reclaim her honor, not through vengeance, but by becoming the leader she was meant to be—one who inspired loyalty and trust through her actions and her unwavering commitment to the kingdom of Ky.