Adrien Bennet, he served as the former General of the 38th Queen Orthez and belonged to the renowned Bennet Household. Adrien had everything handed to him on a silver platter since he was younger. If he did not have the money to receive such excellent training, he doubts he would be this skilled with a blade. Unlike his pupil Teo, his position as 'General' always felt like a joke to him. So perhaps it was a good thing he retired when he did.

After parting ways with the others, he, Little Lyn and Teo headed off in the direction Teo sent the others. His pupil remained indifferent as he explained the condition of the men, while Little Lyn wanted to hurry up and catch up with the others. The three of them were speeding away on their horses when Little Lyn collapsed. Adrien had noticed her bad condition and strictly advised her not to come along, but at the same time he held back. He knew the only one who could stop Teo's dragon form was her.

Adrien returned with more wood to find that the two were still in the same place as before. Little Lyn sat by the fireplace, a blanket wrapped around her frame. Teo was leaning against the edge of the tree and polis.h.i.+ng his blade.

His sweat fell as he watched two. Little Lyn already explained the details regarding what happened with the general to him. While he did reprimand her that she was too harsh; at the same time, he was impressed. She truly has become a Queen. After Queen Orthez died, he faded out of the scenes. He did show up in the castle once in a while and often advised Little Lyn on some matters, but this was during Lethia's reign. When Little Lyn became Queen, Adrien attended the ceremony. He understood after attending it. This girl no longer needs his help; she will be fine. She has people beside her who will help.

Since his retirement, he's lived a relatively isolated and yet peaceful lifestyle. His relatives visited him from time to time in the house he built in the countryside. But Adrien always found their visits tiring; they'd still try to get him to come back to the Mist Kingdom. However his answer remained the same, 'I shall return if she asks for my help. But even then this era belongs to the new generation; there is no place there for our outdated ideas.' Adrien had to admit as capable as he was, he could not help Lyn build her new Kingdom.

The only reason he came was because he noticed how desperate she was. After not seeing her in so long, it pained him to see how much more fragile she was. The primary cause is that man, Adrien thought he put aside his differences regarding the young man named Kazuya. But it seems like it was only temporary, maybe he was waiting for Kazuya to slip up. Slip up he did and big time too. Where on earth is that man during a time like this? It's one thing that she has to fight her best friend but now -- his thoughts broke off when he hears a fit of coughs escaping Lyn's lips. Adrien hurries over and puts more wood in the fireplace.

"Little Lyn?" Adrien called her name out softly

"I'm alright."

Is she? He does not believe that after all, "Why did you give him the jade Little Lyn?" Adrien questioned.

By jade, Adrien referred to the major battle so many years ago, the battle where Teo lost his life. It was to obtain a gem that would help Lyn's condition, as long as Lyn had it then there would be no negative consequences using dark magic. The most straightforward solution may be, to not to use dark magic at all, but the mark in Lyn's body did not allow that. When Lyn told him that she gave Kazuya the gem, he scolded her.

Lyn did not reply right away and was about to ask Teo regarding the details. But he suddenly hears a faint whisper, "Kazuya, needs it more than me."

Adrien's eyes widened, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. During his time as a general he did suspect something, but after what happened with Queen Orthez. He didn't want to pry into any more politics affairs. Or rather the death of his Queen acted as a sign for him to stop being suspicious of the boy.

But now he understood. The reason why the Sound Kingdom people insisted on Kazuya being together with Lyn, Adrien took a deep breathe before he confirmed, "Kazuya is the same as you." Adrien said uncertainly. He said it this way in hopes she would reject the idea. However Little Lyn nodded, and he sighed deeply, "So during that battle, that light.."

"Kazuya and I used our dark powers together. It was something we practiced before, but we never tried it on such a large scale before, that was why there were damages," Lyn explained, "I gave it to him because I knew he would need it more, being in the Mist Kingdom there are no actual dangers to me. In contrast, Kazuya is exposed to the outside world. Even little things can trigger his dark powers, so I left it with him."

"Why did the King leave? Where is he? What is this all about?" Adrien asked. When Adrien received the summons, he left his home in the countryside right away. For the first time in so long, Adrien used magic, so that he could arrive at the castle quicker. He thought she would explain it to him, but Lyn said nothing.

"Uncle Adrien," Lyn drawled, and she seemed to delay her words further by glancing over at Teo every so often. Eventually, she addressed the issue, "Kazuya left because of my condition. I have little time to live."

For a split moment, his brain could not process the girl's words. While he knew of the unusual circ.u.mstances behind her birth, not one person said it would lead to her death. Queen Orthez must have known though, and that's why she was so desperate when they received news regarding the jade.

"The jade, was it not supposed to help you?"

Lyn shook her head, "That Jade is compatible with Kazuya. The one that was with me this whole time was compatible with Kazuya only. The reason we didn't realize right away was because Kazuya and I were always together."

Adrien did not know what to say, that battle they risked their lives so desperately for.. It was for the young man they dismissed and looked down on and not for the Kingdom's treasure Lyn. He wanted to laugh, how ridiculous. He noticed that Teo didn't seem phased, the boy knew. For how long Adrien wasn't sure but one thing was clear. He didn't notice anything. Did Queen Orthez also know?

"Did he leave to find a jade compatible for you?"

Lyn nodded, "Yes, he heard rumors about possible locations for jades. Even if I'm not there in person as long as he had his jade, then he would find one."

Adrien nodded that made sense. It may not be compatible with her, but it has been with her this whole time. "And the reason he's loitering near the Snow Kingdom?"

"Aside from figuring out what happened with the Snow Kingdom much sooner, perhaps..." Lyn trailed off, "Perhaps he found the jade which is compatible with me."

The former general disliked how all the pieces were gathering like this. In other words, the reason Kazuya disappears from time to time since the two married is because of the jade. The two must have known from the moment they combined their dark powers. The reason for his long absence now is because he has an actual lead on where the gem is, "Little Lyn, the jade is most likely..."

Lyn nodded, "Yes I think so too, it's in the Snow Kingdom."

What a headache, what's even more annoying is, "That boy does love you a lot."

Soft laughter escaped the girl's lips. It was the first time in a long time since he saw such a bright smile, "I'm guessing Kazuya wasn't joking when he told me he would do everything for me."