**Chapter 7: Betrayal Revealed**
As Lyka lay in the infirmary, recovering from her burns, the days seemed to stretch on forever. The solitude of her thoughts was interrupted by a visitor—Imasa, her trusted companion 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, her demeanor seemingly unchanged, but a subtle shift in her eyes revealed something darker. Lyka, eager for companionship and support, was unaware of the storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.
The conversation began in the usual manner, with Imasa inquiring about her recovery and offering words of encouragement. But as the exchange continued, her tone changed, revealing a deeper, more disturbing truth.
"Lyka," Imasa began, his voice taking on a sharp edge, "I have come to tell you something that has weighed on me for a long time." Lyka listened, her expression changing from heat to confusion as Imasa's words unfolded. "I betrayed your honor, Lyka," he confessed, his eyes narrowing with a mixture 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 betrayal. 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 I will be the next to stand by King Opych's side as the village leader and his right-hand man." Before Lyka could respond, before she could correct her delusion with the truth of Epetuti's appointment, Imasa turned. His laughter echoed through the chamber, a mocking sound that lingered long after he had left, leaving Lyka alone with her anguish. The visit, which was supposed to be a moment of solace, had revealed the depths of Imasa's deception. Yet even in her grief, Lyka found a glimmer 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 silence of the infirmary, Lyka vowed to rise from the ashes of her fall, her spirit tempered by the trials she had endured. She would reclaim her honor, not through revenge, 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.