What is he doing?

"So, did you get married?" Lyn asked curiously.

"A girlfriend, I lived together with her for a bit." Rhys scratched his head. "Do we have to talk about this?" Rhys felt very uncomfortable whenever anybody mentioned this topic. His relationship with that girl ended up very badly since he was using her to forget Lyn.

"But I'm very curious. You left for a long time." Lyn pointed out.

Indeed, how many years has it been since the girl's wedding? So much time has passed. During the jade war three years ago, he participated. But he made sure he was assigned to a location far from her. While he provided support on the sidelines, that's as far as it went. He never went to see her even once.

Unless he counts the time he saw her half bleeding to death at the end of the jade war. When he saw her like that, he felt true fear for the first time. What if she died? What will he do if she dies?

It was difficult for him, especially during that battle. Rhys had to stop himself from going to her numerous times, even though he wanted to help her. However at the end he received word about critically injured people on the battlefield. He didn't know it was about her. 'She wouldn't want anybody to die.' So Rhys decided to go to the location and heal. Imagine his surprise when he saw that the critically injured was her and even Kazuya?

How could he stand it?

How could he stand seeing her with another man? Not just any man too, his best friend.

Hah, it's laughable. To think he and Kazuya both ended up falling for the same person. Then again, fate has always liked to play with him. How did he become a penniless person on the streets to a Prince? It's so laughable. All the struggles he had as a child seemed so utterly pointless to him now. All that pain and suffering, what was it for?

Amid his thoughts, Rhys did not realize what he was doing to Lyn. He was nibbling on her lips, and then on her neck.

"Ungh…." Lyn moaned softly. "Wait, Rhys-"

"Ssh," Rhys caressed her hair. "I won't do it."

"Rhys, please. It's terrifying…"

She still hasn't changed. She still looks so frightened. But if it were Kazuya, she would go ahead and accept him wouldn't she? Second husband? He's become so desperate, so needy. But he already knows that a life without her is impossible.

'I married her first, so officially I am her first husband. But, Kazuya is the one who became King alongside her.'

Rhys bent down, and their lips brushed against each other. "Even now, all I can do is kiss you." He whispered.

....

When Rhys reentered the room, Lyn sat down on bed with a dazed expression. He walked over and brushed his hands on her forehead. "Are you okay?"

"Say, Rhys, do you really want to be my husband?"

Is she considering it?

"I'd like to." Rhys nodded.

"Even if we can't engage in any sexual acts?"

Now that he thought about it, there is a rule for the second husband. Queen Orthez implemented it after what happened to her. The second husband is in charge of helping and assisting. He cannot sleep in the same room as his spouse.

"Lyn…"

Lyn extended her hand out, and Rhys came over, "In the years since I married Kazuya, you didn't come to see me once, and I was very lonely. But, can I really do this to Kazuya? You...the two of us, I'm not sure. Kazuya is a good husband. The reason why he's been traveling around was for my sake too."

'Can I do this to Kazuya.' Those words were painful for him to hear. Of course, he understood where she was coming from. Lyn won't betray Kazuya no matter what happens. He already saw how much they cared for one another. He isn't this heartless, he wants to be but he can't.

The reason he erased her memories at the end of the jade war too, was because he truly believed Kazuya deserved to properly fix his relationship with Lyn. The two had been married for two years, and yet they only remained good friends.

'I am only standing in their way.' He was insecure and afraid. Before he knew it he was not only healing Lyn but erasing her memories too.

"I missed you, Rhys." Lyn mumbled.

At that comment, Rhys wrapped his arms around her. Did Lyn miss him? Really? Maybe he is hallucinating. Rhys did not think Lyn would miss him. He was the reason why her relationship with Kazuya became the way it did. The reason why she felt so confused.

"I know I just said I missed you, but don't let it get to your head," Lyn's eyes twitched in annoyance. Rhys glanced down and noticed one of his hands was on her thighs.

"Ah."

Lyn shoved him away, "You always act this way, that's what I dislike about you. Can you be serious for a moment?"

"I'm always serious."

Lyn gave him a look that said that he didn't believe her, and he only chuckled.

…..

A few days later

It's not like he hated her company. Rhys liked the fact that she came here for his sake. But, so much time has passed already. Lyn said that she came here to kill time, too, until the Snow Kingdom made their move. However, isn't she acting far too relaxed these days? The girl was planting some roses in the garden, some areas of her face covered in dort.

"Are you and Kazuya still fighting?" Rhys asked. How many days has she spent here already? He's starting to get worried about her.

Lyn rolled her eyes, "I thought it would please you if I spend more time with you. It seems I was wrong; you want me to go away?"

At that comment, Rhys walked over. He had to bend down, but he wrapped his arms around her. "No, I like you being here," he placed kisses on her neck. "Gosh, you're super gorgeous, Lyn."

"I wore this outfit not to please you but because I have somewhere to go today. Stay here with Ayah and be good."

Is she treating him like a child? This isn't fair at all. Rhys kept kissing her neck.

"When will you come back? Do you need me to come with you?" Rhys asked.

She shook her head. "No need."

"Lyn, can't you stay for a bit more?" Rhys requested.

The thought of her leaving his side even for a moment bothered him.

"Stupid, I'll come back. I won't just go."

Rhys chuckled. "So, you don't intend to run away?"

"I'm not a coward," Lyn turned around and caressed his cheeks. "Rhys, will you be okay?"

"Mmm, what do you mean?"

"You'll be alone, won't you miss me? I think I'll miss you."

Rhys eyes widened hearing her words. Wow, why is she so honest? What's with her today? She is usually so cold around him. Rhys brought Lyn closer to him, inhaling her sweet scent.

"Where are you going? Let me go with you, you're right. I'll miss you."

Soft laughter escaped her lips. "I wanted to go on a walk. Do you want to come?"

"Yeah." Rhys trailed off and wrapped his cloak around her. "Wear this; your cloak is still in the wash."

"Right, thank you." Lyn thanked him.

Rhys recalled the dirt on her face and brushed his fingers across her cheeks. "Go and wash up, then we can leave."

Lyn nodded and swiftly left. The moment Lyn entered the house, Rhys slumped to the ground.

He doesn't understand what he is doing anymore. But, he recalls the warmth of the girl that had been in his arms a few minutes ago. Just for a bit longer, he wants to spend time with her like this.