"Yes, King."

Allen nodded and made his way out. As he left the room, his thoughts drifted to a conversation from several years ago. A conversation with that man.

-----

5 years ago

Despite it being pitch dark out, he could make out the bright brunette hair man around 175cm tall. leaning against the wall, "…. I… dislike n.o.bles."

"Then, why did you come here?"

Kazuki tsked, " If you already know then why are you asking. What a pain…"

"If you love her. Then even the most bothersome and trivial like matters shouldn't mean anything."

"That's easy for you to say as her betrothed."

"Haven't you been persistent this whole time?"

Laughter escaped his lips, "I have but even I have my limits. The elders are annoying, and I know they have plans to chase me out of the mist kingdom.."

"What did you wish to speak to me about?" He asked, but he already knew.

"Just in case they succeeded, take care of her for me."

----

His thoughts broke off when he spotted Pupillam as efficient as ever.

"King Allen? Is the Queen..."

Allen nodded, "She's fast asleep now. Don't wake her."

"I see."

Sensing the girl's quiet demeanor, he paused, "Did the King, say anything to you. Before he left? About fulfilling a promise..."

Pupillan looked at him puzzled.

So she doesn't know. Does anyone know amongst the mist kingdoms trusted knights? He ought to keep this under wraps until he's confirmed everything.

"It is nothing. Watch over her."

"Yes, sir."

... That man, 5 years ago. What did he mean by those words? Allen wonders why he is he remembering this now.

________________________________________

After parting ways with King Allen, Pupillam entered the room.

Seeing the tears in the Queen's eyes. Pupillam gripped the lamp in her hands. That foolish King where did he go? Why is he leaving her behind for so long?

How fragile and weak the Queen really is, only a handful of people know. That person, who discovered this first. Where on earth is he?

She recalled her exchange with the Wind Kingdoms king just now and sighed. She didn't mean to lie. But it's not as though the exchange she had with her King meant anything. He told her a bunch of things she already knew about. What a foolish King.

________________________________________

Following morning.

This wasn't the room they a.s.signed her to.

Lyn thought to herself for a moment before she exhaled. How much trouble did she cause him again? She must have had too much to drink. Like always that man remained calm, no matter how upset she got. When she first met him, she first thought him to be the same as all the other elites out there. n.o.body follows the traditions better than him, and yet the more time she spent with him, she caught a glimpse of his kindness.

.

.

He's really not saying a word about it. The two of them were engaged in political affairs and meetings no sooner had breakfast ended. While the main purpose had been the wedding, she wanted to use this chance to check up on other affairs. It's rare for her to travel outside the main city, she only ever went out for important royal affairs, meetings, and battles. She hardly ever got to explore her kingdom. But places like this are not unfamiliar to her. When she was a princess, she broke a lot of rules and ventured out to many places in the kingdom

"Queen Lyn, are you listening?"

"Uh, yes."

"Come with me for a moment." Oh! Lyn quickly followed him. To her surprise, Allen leads her outside. Since it was still early, there was hardly anybody around.

"What nice weather, don't you think so?"

"It seems average."

"Hm, I suppose it would in contrast to the weather in the land of wind. You get more sunny days than us but accompanied by wind. So is it not colder?"

"Regardless, do not neglect your health," Allen said and wrapped his cloak around her.

"It's rare you would ask me out for a walk."

"I wished to speak with you alone. But, I suppose even now we are being watched."

Lyn chuckled, "Were you not the one who said we weren't free?"

"It surprises me you remember that."

"How could I forget?"

He was rather straightforward and blunt about it. The things she is raised to believe in. Allen is truly the model for elites out there. He not only understands traditional values but applies those meanings well, and yet, "Thank you, for last night. I'm very grateful."

"There is no need for thanks, even now I feel like I have not done enough for you."

Her gaze softened, "No, you've done plenty. Just your presence right now helps calm my thoughts. I will fight J, things can't go on any longer."

"Is your mind at ease?"

Lyn shook her head, "Even now I'm purged with worries regarding this matter. However, I'm causing far too many people to worry about me and I cannot let this kingdom die just because of my hesitations."

"You can't let this kingdom die, do you think in this manner because you're the Queen? Because of your royal lineage."

"No.." she paused, "It's simple, really. And people may take this as a selfish response, but this is how I feel."