178 The current you

"It's weird you know." Rhys mumbled. "This conversation, in the past I do not think we would have been able to speak like this."

"Well, I have to admit this is awkward. But I have been giving it a lot of thought. You're both important to me."

"Kazuya, I won't be selfish like I was five years ago. The reason I stayed away was because I wanted you to sort everything out with Lyn. You two had an abrupt break up, because of your stupid plan."

Kazuya's sweat fell at his words. "Stupid?"

"In Lyn's words. Personally, I understood what you were trying to do. But that didn't stop me from taking advantage. Back then I wasn't in the right state of mind to be with her. I was selfish and only cared about stealing her from you, I only wanted her to look at me and me alone."

But during his travels he realised how petty that behaviour was. That behaviour only hurt both Lyn and Kazuya. It isn't too late, he can still make things right. However when he saw Lyn again in the war three years ago, he immediately understood. 'So she, still loves me? She is still waiting.'

It warmed his heart, and yet he felt guilty at the same time. Kazuya married her but they still can't sort out their relationship.

"It was my mistake to think that way. But even if I turn back time, I will most likely still do the same thing. That's why, Kazuya. Think about it first. I have had five years to think, and I have made my mind up."

For a moment Kazuya is silent before he nodded. "The truth is Rhys, I don't want to give her up at all. I want to walk hand in hand with her under the sun." He laughed weakly. "It's so foolish, even though I was ready to die and leave her to you."

Rhys shakes his head. "She won't be happy that way. I know we have gotten closer, but she still keeps her distance as she should. Kazuya, you should go see her and clear things up. Right now she thinks your simply tossing her away, she is quite upset."

Even if she doesn't show it on her face, he can tell whenever he kisses her. There is still something missing.

"Rhys, your Lyn's soulmate aren't you? Isn't that why you accepted my offer?"

"I won't hide it from you. When I learned that Lyn had the phoenix dragon sword, and could control the phoenix dragon. I thought, ah it makes sense."

She has the sword that matches his, can control the dragon, and they both have the same healing ability. If they aren't each others halves then there is something wrong with the logic of this world.

Kazuya looked even more hurt than before but he nodded. "Then, I will help you find your jade. I'll start right away now that I have confirmed the facts with you."

"You should get some rest, you look pale."

"I'm fine, take care of Lyn."

"Wait Kazuy-" Before he could finish his sentence Kazuya had already escaped through the window. Rhys rushed over hoping to catch him, but he couldn't even see a glimpse of his friend.

Rhys sighed deeply. 'That is the one part of him that still bothers me even now. Kazuya your so foolish, you have no idea do you? How much Lyn missed you, how much she sacrificed when she dropped her duties to search for you.' Right now, how many people are bad mouthing her for leaving? How much hate is she experiencing?

Lyn hides it very well but since he has a residence in the castle now and frequently interacts with the guards he knows. There are many people hating on her for being irresponsible.

Yes it was irresponsible of her. As the Queen, she ought to prioritise her people, and the Kingdom before anything else. What Lyn did however wasn't wrong. A long time ago, before the rules of the Empire were established. People lived in a land with no class system, and during the early stages of the class system people could still love freely. They still had a will of their own.

But as time went by that changed, the rules became distorted due to the growing selfishness of those who wield power. When those in higher positions discovered that they had 'stronger' magic then the commoners, that was when the tide changed. When some were born with fair hair and skin.

Rhys paused and shook his head. There is no use thinking about what happened in the past. After all, the future is what is the most important. Although knowledge regarding the past is important, it feels like humans have gone backwards instead of making progress.

He recalled the sensation of her lips on his cheeks a few minutes ago and slumped to the ground.

'She must be growing attached to me right?' But will that attachment be enough?

His thoughts break off hearing footsteps from behind him and Rhys sighed. "What do you want General Teo?"

Teo stepped out from behind the pillar. "I thought I saw the King, so I wanted to report to him."

"I see."

"You have changed."

At those words Rhys blinked, he didn't know what to say to that. After all when he first met up with Lyn, this one was very cautious towards him.

"That change is certainly a good thing. Since King Kazuya does not have much time left."

Rhys frowned hearing the general's words. It seems like Lyn's knights know about Kazuya's condition.

"Are you implying that I need to replace him?"

"No, you can never replace him."

Hearing that is more painful. But he understood already. It's not enough just to win Lyn over. He has to win over the rest of her Knights, otherwise there will be conflict if he ever becomes the King. Rhys paused in mid-thought. Huh? To become the King? But, that is not what he came here for.

He didn't return to steal the throne from Kazuya. He just wanted to see Lyn again.

"But, he couldn't replace you either." Teo paused. "King Kazuya treated everybody with kindness and always smiled. He never got particularly close to any of us, but we all respect him. We liked seeing him with the Queen. However, deep down we all understood, there is a wall between them because the Queen was waiting for someone else this entire time."

"..."

"Sir Rhys, back then I couldn't approve of your relationship with the Queen. But you understand why right? If you became the King back then, there would have been a tragedy far worse than now."

"I am aware."

"Although I heard you were slowly changing towards the end. I still believe something would have gone wrong." Teo trailed off. "The past few days, the advisor and I have been observing you."

At those words his sweat fell. So that's why he felt such a menacing presence. But considering how that person only watched from afar, he decided to ignore it.

"So, what's the verdict?"

"The current you will make a good Emperor."

H-huh? Rhys looked at Teo startled. "Hold on that's-"

"You don't want to become the King, because it would mean stealing the throne from your best friend. You're right, you shouldn't become the King. That role won't suit you, your better suited to become the Emperor."

Before Rhys could make a comeback, Teo was already walking down the corridor. He was too stunned to give chase. The moment the man completely vanished from his sight, Rhys slumped to the ground. 'The Emperor huh?'

*UNEDITED*