The Harsh Truth

Ayah is having serious regrets coming here. She thought she could distract her mind if she insulted Rhys. But, when she saw how close the two were, she wanted to gag. What is it with these two? How can they still have such an ambiguous relationship despite the circumstances?

Just as Ayah was about to leave, Lyn left the room. Their gaze met. Gah, already caught.

Lyn smiled and closed the door, "Let's go somewhere and talk, shall we?"

Ayah nodded.

'She doesn't seem surprised,' Ayah thought. Lyn must have known she was here already. That's annoying.

..

It didn't take them long before they arrived in the library area. During her short time here, Ayah has yet to come to these parts. So it surprised her to see so many books and scrolls.

"You, need to stop taking advantage of him," Ayah didn't waste any time saying these words. Why would she?

Lyn sighed, "We already had this talk back when we were younger, you know? Do you remember what I told you then?"

"I do remember, and that's why... "

That's why she can say these words now. How come Queen Lyn can still act in this manner despite being married? But now that Ayah thought about it, Queen Lyn has never misled Rhys. Ayah sighed, why is she even thinking about this now?

"You suddenly have no spirit, shouldn't you add more to your argument?"

"I think I lost my spirit the moment I saw you two like that," Ayah said flatly.

"You don't have to worry. Rhys did not touch me."

At that comment, Ayah flushed red, "That's not what I was thinking. Besides, he was here such a short amount of time, that I doubt anything could have happened."

"Ah, it appears whenever I see you, Ayah. I remember things about Rhys that I didn't before."

"What sort of things?" Ayah was very uncomfortable. She could never handle this side of Lyn, this confidence and arrogant her. She preferred it when the girl was meek and innocent. Then again, Lyn has never been like that. For so long, the girl was pretending, but Ayah didn't realize at all. When she did realize it, she felt betrayed and foolish.

The entire time she dances on the girl's palm like a puppet.

"Nothing perverted relax."

"Let's stop talking about this."

"So, what you said just now about me taking advantage of Rhys. You do realize that you did the same?" Lyn reminded her and Ayah flinched, "Back then you used him to get back at me, and to get rid of the pain you felt not seeing you're beloved."

"..."

"But well, I didn't bring you out here for that."

"What do you want?"

"Why don't you join our side?"

Wait, wait, wait? Ayah's eyes widened at the girl's words. What is with this ridiculous idea? Or rather is this woman insane? Why on earth would she even suggest something like that? Shouldn't she know better than anyone? Is she mocking her again? Ayah frowned and clenched her fist, "Don't think just because I'm in a weakened state, I can't do anything to you."

"Empty threats will not work on me. Besides, if I wanted to deal with you, I would have done so a long time ago."

That's true, the only reason Ayah could capture her the first time around was solely because Queen Lyn was in a weak state. If she wasn't and the woman was at full strength. Ayah knew she would not have stood a chance at all. It's frustrating even now; she is still so weak. Even with power, this woman is still stronger than her. In the past, Ayah thought that Lyn was only strong due to the curse. But Lyn quickly proved her wrong.

There is no point in losing her cool like this. The more emotional she got, the more Lyn would taunt her. Ayah took a deep breath, "You say join your side, but don't you know that I'm loyal to Queen J?"

"Tell me, in the time since you returned to the Snow Kingdom. How many times have you seen J?"

"Huh?"

"Think about it for a moment. Even during that battle two years ago, your direct superior was Reiji and Luke. You did not stand by the Queen's side during the starting ceremony either."

"That was because I had a special task," but as Ayah said those words she hesitated. The uneasy feeling she hid regarding back then, emerged again. It can't be, can it?

"I know this is harsh, but you have to understand that I'm doing this for your sake. Ayah, the reason why you suffered in the academy, it was because of J."

Ayah's eyes widened, and she froze on the spot. It felt like her entire body had turned cold. It can't be, can it? "You're lying."

"Would I lie to you? Have I ever lied to you? We may not have been on good terms then, but did I ever lie to you? Ayah."

Lie?

No, Lyn has never lied to her - not even once. From the very beginning, she was honest to the point Ayah thought she was a fool. Did this girl not know the concept of lying? Ayah often questioned her about it before. Ordinary people would lie at least once in their lives. However, this woman doesn't lie. She may hold back her feelings.

It can't be, it can't. But now that Ayah thought about it carefully, it all made sense. The only reason why Luke would suddenly act cold towards her, the only reason why people would suddenly pick on her. There was that kidnapping Lyn incidence case too, those men in black were part of the Queen's forces.

Back then, Ayah was too emotional and didn't think about it. Why would she? Why would she suspect J? Ayah always thought that J was only hanging Lyn to obtain information from her, to use her. From the looks of it, that part was correct. But Ayah didn't think she would be the mastermind to her suffering too.

How come? Why? Why? As these questions ran through her mind, Lyn pulled her into an embrace, "As I told you before, I'm on your side, and I've always treated you as a friend."

"Why did you give me this injury?"

"Because J told me that this spell would cast aside the darkness inside you."

"Why didn't you tell me that sooner?"

Lyn sighed, "Indeed, I should have told you. But I forgot about it."

"She did something with your memories?"

"J wasn't as kind as I thought. She wasn't the person I thought she was."

Ayah looked up, "She betrayed you, no, she was using you from the start."

Lyn wore a weak smile on her face and Ayah understood. This girl must have realized something was off from the very start.