Confused

It's still a speculation, so he probably shouldn't tell her anything. Besides, it's not like it would make any difference even if she did know the truth. Even if he manages to convince her, Rhys knows there is something controlling her. Nor just her but all the current Knights of the Snow Kingdom.

If his investigation is correct, then the current Queen of the Snow Kingdom Queen J brainwashed all her Knights before she ascended the throne. When Rhys discovered this, he wasn't sure on what to think. Why would she do something like that? Didn't Queen J only turn evil because of the demon possessing her?

No, that's wrong. Those who get possessed either have weak hearts or a naturally evil and corrupt heart. If it's like that, then perhaps they have been playing in Queen J's palm, even during her days as a Princess. How on earth does he explain that to Lyn? It's not like he doesn't have his suspicions. After all, after that whole attempt to kidnap Lyn during the outing case. Rhys felt that something was wrong.

The people who threatened Ayah were supposedly 'rouges' from the Snow Kingdom. Rouges? More like highly trained guards. Rhys didn't point this out before due to a fit of anger, but he noticed it then. Those people were highly trained, their movements were not like any ordinary military soldier.

How long ago though? Rhys couldn't determine an exact time frame when the brainwashing started. Other than Ayah, the other members are a blur to him. He isn't close enough with them to understand whether they changed or not. Ayah too, he could never read what was on her mind.

"What is it?" Ayah seemed annoyed and half-curious.

"Nothing, go to sleep and make sure you stay in this wing. I don't know how long Lyn is going to stay here," Rhys trailed off. He doesn't even know if she's going to stay or leave right away. She said her purpose was to check on him, and she's already done that right? There is no reason for her to stay.

.....

Following morning.

"Rhys, good morni-" He interrupts her greeting with a short and passionate kiss.

Rhys parted their lips quickly before she could bring out the knife.

"Damn," Lyn cursed.

"What are you doing?" Rhys asked casually.

It looked like the girl wanted to say something about his behaviour but stops herself.

"Can't you tell? Laundry."

Laundry, huh? He reached over and hung the item that dropped from the floor towards the railing.

"Welcome."

Lyn pouted. "I had this under control."

He had just finished his morning rounds, when he spotted her by the laundry area, clumsily doing a batch of laundry. Watching her smiling by herself made him wonder just what she was thinking about. It kind of surprised him when he saw her doing the laundry, she's clumsy after all.

He was watching her for a good few minutes before he saw her slapping her cheeks after she said something. Rhys wasn't close enough to hear what she was saying. But he was a tad bit curious since her entire face went red.

Due to the strong wind, the last piece of clothes from the upper pole fell, and Lyn struggled to put it back in place due to her height. Lyn didn't realize how dangerous it was just standing on her tip toes. If she slipped and lost her footing, she could hurt her pretty face. So Rhys stepped forward and reached out from behind her.

Strands of her black hair hit his chin as he reached out from behind her. "Why are you doing laundry? You're a guest, why don't you rest?"

Lyn laughed, "Are you saying that because you're worried? I'm okay."

"I see."

This felt surreal to him, Lyn is actually standing here doing laundry and acting kind to him. Then again, maybe he could use this chance to--

"Rhys, we need you!"

A deep sigh escaped his lips, and he turned to Lyn. He reached over and lightly kissed her cheeks, "I'm going. Stay put."

"Okay."

.....

Those with darkness go through a vicious circle.

And no matter what anybody does, they can't seem to escape. Nobody can escape but they can temporarily break free. One can temporarily escape the darkness, if they find that one special person. Somebody who reassures them that things will be okay, that things will change. For a while it really does seem that way, things will change. But, after a certain amount of time - things return to how they were before. The darkness consumes the individual, taking away more than they did previously.

Yet, that person would still smile and hold a small shred of hope, despite knowing how stupid it was. However, he couldn't do that. Unlike Lyn, Rhys couldn't be so strong. During the day, it's hardly noticeable. At night whenever he is alone, Rhys could feel it latching it's claws onto him and dragging him back to the darkness.

All the emotions he conceals well gets revealed in a split second. His doubt, anger, fear, sadness - all those emotions that make him messed up and twisted.

All he wants is to be normal again. But it always comes down to that night. The night where things changed and he knew it could never be the same again

Rhys could feel it a lot more these days, the darkness taking over his body and turning him into a different person. To get rid of the pain he would drink tablets, but what good did that do in the long run? The answer is nothing, absolutely nothing.

People like him wait to be rescued, but that's impossible. There is nobody out there who understands. So he will survive depending on those white pills until his mind becomes just as corrupted as his body. Rhys played with the packet in his hands and sighed, 'If Lyn knew about his condition, what would she say?' Rhys thought. Would she even be bothered by it?

After finishing his business, Rhys had been watching the girl from a nearby tree had been carefully keeping his eye on her. As he thought, the her power is returning to her much faster then what we all thought. She must have begun to notice that for a while and yet still accepted this job, heh.

What a fool, in the end if it's for the sake of her dreams she really will do anything huh? That's fine, since that's certainly more like her. But, he watches as the girl loses her balance and falls into the small lake.

His gaze dimmed and even before he knew it, he found himself diving in. Even in the darkness of the lake, Rhys could see her clearly. The girl had had almost sank to the very bottom but he hurriedly grabs hold of her and pulls her closer to him.

'The pieces are coming at place once again and unfortunately once again, you're the main piece. However this time round you do not need to worry. He's also a main piece in the chest board. I never intended to leave you alone for too long.'

Eventually they reached the surface.

"Didn't I tell you? No matter what happens, believe in me." Rhys mumbled softly.

After a few minutes the girl woke up, and Lyn immediately pulled away, "I'm sorry, I caused you some problems."

"What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I wanted to take a walk," Lyn puffed her cheeks up, "You abandoned me earlier, so I'm strolling around by myself."

She actually wanted to take a walk with him? He really can't handle this. Is he dreaming? Rhys has always wished that things returned to how they were before when she was a Princess.

Even before they dated, they got along with one another. There was even a time where Lyn admitted that she has more in common with him than Kazuya.

Rhys sighed.

'What use is there thinking about this now? The past is the past. No matter what I do, our relationship will not return to how it was before. But perhaps there is no need for that. Rather than the past, I should focus on the present and make new memories with her.