Wherever I go, I always find her

Year 4023 Mist Kingdom

Lan quickly hides himself behind the bookshelf, and a deep sigh passed his lips. What sort of heart testing situation is this? Only three days have passed since he made that bold sounding declaration about not meeting with Miley until the Queen announces her identity.

Yet for the last few days, he's had close calls like this on more than one occasion. You can't blame him for this one. The Miley he knew would never go to a library, and yet she seems to have been here since morning. His gaze flickered onto the girl as she stared at certain books with a concentrated look on her face.

When Lan first saw her three days ago, he already had to triple check to make sure it was her. The girl had changed so much that he barely recognized her, even the way she spoke let alone the way she walked. If it wasn't for that slight blunder and the Queen greeting her. Lan wouldn't know who it was.

Why is she in the library of all places? The sight truly dumbfounded him. He sighed again. He wanted to do some research but, his gaze landed on the set of books he wanted. It was in the girl's pile. He supposes he will have to delay it for later.

"Um, Sir Lan."

He shot a glare when somebody said his name loudly. Lan quickly turned to Miley, but thankfully she was too absorbed in her books to care.

He looked at the person who called him and understood immediately, "I'll go there right away."

….

Queen Audience Chambers

"You want me to," Lan paused in mid-sentence when he heard the reason why the Queen summoned him.

Lyn nodded, "Yes, just like before. Help Miley out."

"But Queen Lyn, this time…"

"I know what she's looking for. When I saw how badly affected she was the first time, I almost said it. What the antidote was. But then I recalled Lina. Even if you do not care about your life, there is somebody out there who does, and the same goes for me. I do not wish you to die a meaningless death."

"Then if the death has meaning?"

The Queen said nothing to that and stood up. She walked over to the window and opened it.

"Tell me, Lan, what do you think of the current Empire today?" Lyn asked.

"It's become exactly as you wanted it."

"Yes, aside from some loose ends. Everything I envisioned since I was younger has come true. No, there are a few things that are different," Queen Lyn smiled, "Such as having Kazuya by my side, and this child in my stomach."

"Queen Lyn."

"I'm growing older, and so are you. Back in the academy, I considered you a good friend for a reason. Even though there were many things, we didn't see eye to eye on. I've always wanted to help. Tell me, do you really think it was so bad for me to set you up with Miley?"

Lan looked down at the ground and remained silent. What could he say to that? The Queen already knew of his past with Miley. The past he had with her before she came to the Mist Kingdom. For her to say all this despite everything, "There is no love between the two of us."

"Then, is it still a grudge?" The Queen walked over and placed her hand on his right eye. Lan flinched slightly, "Does it still hurt?"

"..Yes."

"I see, I apologize. Indeed it's wrong of me to set you up with the very person you should despise."

"That's, I didn't know at first. That it was Miley who," Lan trailed off, he does not know how to say. Miley is the one who killed her? His childhood friend and the girl he was engaged to since birth? It made him sick to the stomach. The first time he found out, it was shortly after Priscilla Bennett's death. When he heard the news, Lan froze in shock, but it didn't take long before the deep seed of hate in his heart emerged, "..who killed her. If I knew sooner, then I would never have gotten involved with her. And maybe she won't be here today."

Yes, when he realized that Miley caused the death of his loved one. He wanted nothing more than to kill her. All the memories, the moments they shared until that point completely vanished. Instead, all that remained was hate. At least that's what he thought when Miley attempted to take her life several times after her friend's death. Lan could have just allowed her, but instead, he stopped her. Lan didn't fully understand exactly why he did. But he did.

The reason his vision in his right eye is degrading is because of Miley. Because of the incident that occurred back then. Lan wonders why he didn't realize it much sooner. Back when she used her fire powers and burned him the first time he should have suspected something. Was his mind completely deluded of all senses? Did his curiosity take over his desire for revenge? Even now he still doesn't have the answer for that.

Queen Lyn let's go, and walked back over to the window, "You've taken great lengths to avoid her. Did your grudge re-emerge?"

Lan shook his head, "It's not that. I figured it would be more fun to be surprised alongside everybody else."

"And yet?"

"No matter where I go, I seem to meet her," Lan deeply sighed, "What is with this situation?"

The Queen laughed, "It seems like its fate." It was just a passing comment, but Lan thought it through. It appears to be the work of fate at this stage, doesn't it?

But if it's fate, then it truly is cruel. Why does fate want to play with the two of them? Why does fate wish to bring him closer to the murder of his former lover? It made little sense to Lan unless fate was telling him to confront the situation. If that were the case, does facing the situation involve revenge? Does it require a blade at her neck? His sword, does it involve a tragic ending?

Either way, somebody will die whether it's him or her. If they get close like before, if he keeps his distance from her, Lan knew he could avoid both scenarios. He doesn't want to drive the pregnant Queen Lyn into a corner. He doesn't want the Queen to see death anymore. The death of those precious to her.