The Promised Flower (5)

Year 4019 - Snow Kingdom -

A man with dark brown long hair tied up in the usual fashion for men his age lay on the snow and stared at the sky. When he thought about the events that lead to him arriving here, the man couldn't help but sigh. Well, he is finally here, but now what? The people pursuing him won't give up - and now that he is on their territory, it won't be easy to lose them. His name is Kazuya, the Mist Kingdom's 45th King, and his origin? It's not the Mist Kingdom, nor is he born a noble.

In the history of the Mist Kingdom, a commoner becoming King has only happened twice. At least that's what people are made to believe. Even up till now, people don't realize the origin of the 44th King. A secret that has been kept for years, Kazuya wondered if anybody would ever figure it out.

He set out on this journey to find the jade that's compatible with his wife to prevent her from dying, several months back now. A deep sigh passed his lips, damn. He knew he couldn't keep this up at longer; he spent everyday longing for Lyn to the point that his companions are getting concerned. He needs to find the dam jade fast and return to his wife's side.

He hears approaching footsteps and sighed, "Caught already?"

"Of course you are,"

The person who hovered over him was none other than a certain grey hair boy, his partner Murasaki Heisuke.

"You know that girl really is mad at you. She didn't tell me the details of your conversation though, but I'm guessing it must have been something serious for her to be in that kind of mood," Heisuke said.

Kazuya said nothing and glanced up at the blue skies. He shuts his eyes and doesn't open them immediately, and just the place turn pitch black for a single moment. Even if it's just for a little while the colors around him have disappeared, leaving nothing but nothingness.

He hears Heisuke sigh, and yet feels the grey hair boy sit beside him and not saying a word.

Heisuke was that kind of person.

Someone who understood his actions and antics well enough now, so when they do happen will just silently wait until it passes by. He said nothing or even bothered lecturing him, Kazuya was grateful for this - maybe this was why the two of them stayed partners for such a long time. He still wasn't sure. But like this, for now, it was just fine for him.

Lyn always lectured him about it before. About making his feelings clear towards people; otherwise, they'd get the wrong idea and misunderstand the situation.

Though he was a 'genius' and supposedly the strongest out there, those words had no particular meaning at all to him. Being a genius doesn't make you any better than anyone else out there, yes your smarter - yes you learn quicker than others. But it takes out the fun of the whole aspect of hard work and effort. Kazuya never understood what hard work was, what it meant, and what it required. Though he had seen Heisuke working hard to beat him, those words didn't have any meaning to him.

Because he's never had to work hard to archive anything, and that's probably why people distance themselves from him. Whenever he ends up saying anything, people see it as him looking down on them or belittling them and stay far far away from him.

A thought from a long time ago appeared in his head.' It's stupid; it's all so ridiculous. People are corrupt and don't care about anyone but themselves. They trick others, hurt them, get them angry. In today's society, all individuals care about is money and material goods. They'd do anything if its to get money, especially business. Even in elite society, outlaw. They spend so much time on pointless debating and lecturing while the enemy is already planning their next move. Yet even with all of this, there are people out there. There are still people out there who will care, worry, and be happy. Even if we're living in a world such as this one, some fools will still love.'

It was something he did firmly believe in; those words weren't just ones that he thought of on the spur of the moment or anything like that. He did genuinely think that. Even though he couldn't comprehend or understand it sometimes.

Suddenly Heisuke stands up, "We have a client, let's go."

"Right, right."

No sooner had they stood up though did Kazuya receive a message on his communicator. He took out the message crystal from his pocket.

A message from Rhys?

Lyn is hurt. She hurt herself.

Kazuya's eyes widened, and for a split second, he froze.

"Hey? What's wrong?" Heisuke asked.

"Lyn," he murmured. The name of his passed his lips, and Kazuya rushed off into another direction.

"Hey, Kazuya?!!"

He doesn't stop to look back at his friend even once.

….

Mist Kingdom - Town XX -

When Kazuya left her, he didn't think it would take this long. While he got a good lead on the jade, he thought he would run into a dead end again and quickly return to her side. However, the sensor Queen Orthez gave him before her disappearance showed that Lyn's jade is in the Snow Kingdom. Though he only arrived a few days back, Kazuya confirmed the presence of the gem in the town. Since earlier he got an eerie feeling when the glass he drank from broke, but Kazuya never believed in superstition. He was more of a gut instinct person. So when he received the message from Rhys, he panicked.

After taking a few paths, he arrived at Rhys place and quickly made his way down the stone steps - and opened the door.

He spotted his wife immediately, "Lyn?!" Kazuya exclaimed.

"Ssh idiot, she's asleep."

This person scowling at him is his best friend, Rhys. Kazuya left him strict instructions to guard over Lyn before he left. Sleeping, a relieved sigh passed his lips as he walked over. When he received Rhys message, he didn't hesitate to rush over. While this town was quite a distance away from where he was. Due to the magic device that connects the two towns, it was easier to come here. He walked over and made his way over to the girl fast asleep on the western style bed.

A complicated look appeared on his face when he saw how pale and unhealthy she looked, "Lyn,"

"Wake her up," Rhys walked over too, "Hey, stupid girl wake-"

Kazuya immediately stopped him, "Oi idiot, don't."

"She wanted to see you so badly; wake her up now."

"..we can't meet now."

"Don't be an idiot Kazuya; she tried to commit suicide. Just show your face and reassure the idiot."

'Commit Suicide,' hearing those words stung on more ways than one. Kazuya still couldn't believe it. No matter how many times Kazuya left her behind in the past, she never did something like this before — so hearing that she did this now - no, why is he surprised. This is his wife, the wife who said that no matter what happens, they'll be together despite all the reports and notes and messages. Deep down Lyn was probably despairing, "She must have thought I was dead," Kazuya murmured. This was the only reasonable logic for this happening.

Lyn must have thought he died, and that's why she made that attempt on her life.

Rhys grabbed hold of his collar then, "Why does she have to die because of you?"

"Her feelings."

"How stupid, why would she die over a person like you? So what if your dead, you don't have to drag her into it," Rhys snapped.

"I know that," Kazuya said. Even if he were to die, he didn't want Lyn to follow after him.

.....

After Rhys left the room, he just stood watching over her for a while. He didn't know what to do. The words Rhys said were harsh, but he did make a point, 'Dragging her into his mess, huh?' indeed Kazuya couldn't deny that. Since they got married, no since they first met. Lyn keeps getting dragged into his mess. He doesn't deserve her; he never did. He ought to just leave now - and let Rhys. Let Rhys have her, Kazuya swallowed those words. He couldn't do that. Why would he let another man have her?

As these thoughts ran through his mind, he felt a small hand reach out and tug his clothing, "Kazuya?!!"

His wife Lyn had woken up; she looked at him like she just saw a ghost.

"Ah gee, you caught me," Kazuya said with a sheepish smile. He planned to leave quickly after treating the girl's wounds. But it turned out to be like this huh, "Long time no see," he mentally face palmed after he said those words. Is he an idiot? Long time no see. Isn't this the time where he is supposed to say something romantic? What's with this long time no see nonsense.

"Kazuya, it's really you .."

"Mm."

"Really you? My Kazuya?"

If she wasn't holding him so tightly and shaking, he would laugh at that, 'My?' since when did she call him like this. His dear Lyn, his wife - he's missed her so much.