Belia- Second Guessing

Two Voyan guards are stationed outside the door, and Rin mans his post inside her quarters, but Belia still feels uneasy. She'd heard every word said between Karolek and Timur, that she is the cause of all of this and that her life may still be in danger. Belia feels Rin's eyes drift over to her, and she catches the tail end of one of Rin's concerned thoughts. Rin asks Belia if she's alright, and Belia shakes her head. Rin moves away from his post and sits down on the bed next to Belia.

"You know, I'd never allow anything to happen to you," Rin tells Belia.

"I know." Belia takes a deep breath in an attempt to relax. "Do you think I've made a mistake?" Rin gives Belia a blank look. "Is this whole thing one big mistake?"

"Well, I wouldn't call it a mistake; could this whole plan have been better thought out, yes, but is it a mistake? I don't believe so."

"You aren't just saying that to make me feel better, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I'm telling you this as both your friend and your guard, Belia. It was either this or war."

"We could have easily defeated them," Belia says.

"Yes, maybe the first time, but they would have just kept attacking us until we surrendered. The toll that would have taken isn't even fathomable." Rin sighs. "You have no idea how many lives you have not only saved but livelihoods you've preserved by making this choice, Belia." Belia thinks about Rin's point. If they had chosen war, Krystaliv would win in a short-term war, but if it dragged on, Voyna has more resources, not to mention the manpower of all of the planets it's conquered so far. Krystaliv would have eventually fallen. Belia's head begins to throb as all of the "ifs" come flooding into her mind. "Your Highness?" Rin's voice breaks through. "Belia?" She falls back on the bed, and she feels like the entire room is spinning. "Breathe, Belia…" Her heart pounds, and she finds her breathing labored. The last thing Belia remembers is the door opening before her world is enveloped in darkness…

Happy memories flood Belia's mind. Her brothers' laughing. Her father's face when he tried to hold back a smile. Her mother's singing. Kya and Rin's entire awkward and adorable courtship. A pair of soft lips touching hers.

"Belia…" a voice calls in the distance. "Belia?" Belia opens her eyes as she regains consciousness. "Belia," Timur says softly. He gently kisses her hand as her eyes adjust to the light. "You had me worried."

"What happened?" Belia asks, not quite remembering how she ended up laying on the bed.

"You passed out," Timur tells her. A sharp pain begins to blossom at Belia's temples. "Rin told me you overheated and collapsed. The warmer climate not agreeing with you." Belia looks over at her guard, and he gives Belia a slight shrug.

"I'm feeling better now," Belia lies. She tries to sit up to prove her point, the act making her a little nauseous. Kya enters the room.

"I will take care of the Princess now, Your Highness," Kya says, coming over to the bed.

"Are you sure?" Timur asks, still holding Belia's hand.

"Yes, Your Highness." Timur lingers for a moment. He gives Belia's hand another kiss and leaves the three.

"So, what actually happened?" Belia asks as she lays back down. Rin checks to make sure Timur had actually left, and Kya prepares something to soothe Belia's growing headache.

"You had a mental overload," Kya tells her, putting a cold compress on her forehead. "Rin tried to get you to calm down, but by the time he sensed it, you were too far gone."

"And the whole 'overheating' excuse?"

"I made it up," Rin tells Belia. "The Prince came in after you passed out, and he had a look of panic about him. Since your father still doesn't want anyone to know about our abilities, I lied and told him that since you don't leave the Palace Dome, you weren't used to the warmer temperatures and overheated."

"How did you tell him all of that?" Belia asks.

"Well, it was mostly gesturing since I can't write in Standard."

"Thankfully, I came in, so I was able to translate," Kya says. "Now, how do you feel?"

"Massive headache like I usually get, maybe a little nauseous, but I feel fine as long as I don't move."

"Prince Timur wanted to send for a doctor earlier, but thankfully Kya dissuaded him," Rin tells Belia.

"I'll inform his Highness you still aren't feeling well but are on the mend," Kya tells Belia. "Get some rest and drink plenty of fluids. You should feel better by tomorrow." Kya leaves.

"What did Timur come in here for?" Belia asks Rin.

"He came to tell you that we are no longer confined to our quarters. I'll do a quick check of your room so you can get some rest," Rin tells Belia. When he's finished, Rin leaves. Now all alone, Belia relaxes and falls asleep.