Chapter 257 - Not so simple

"Our daughter is a sharp one. She may have already figured it out. But, you don't have to worry Orthez. That child isn't alone."

"The organization targeting her is not a simple one."

Daichi frowned, "Are those people back again?"

"Back then, you got them to stop. However, that only applies for me. I was careless; I should have added any children of ours into the agreement."

"No, none of us were prepared. Besides, even the deal to leave you alone wasn't simple. Hey Orthez, when do you plan for Lyn to take the throne?"

Orthez paused and nodded, "I was thinking of having her marry young Allen first, and then have her return to the Kingdom when things are settled down."

"Young Allen is the heir to his throne," Daichi tapped his problem, "We can't have them both. If Lyn is to become his bride, then she would have to remain in the Snow Kingdom unless we did a merger of two Kingdoms. But when was the last time something like that happened?"

The merger of two Kingdoms, it's exactly like what the name implies. Two separate Kingdoms would merge as one. However, "They'd never agree to it."

"Exactly, the people in the Wind Kingdom have too much pride. Lyn as the Queen or as Allen's bride."

"If I can get rid of the dangers, then Lyn does not have to marry Allen. She can choose among her many suitors."

Daichi laughed, "Indeed, that may be the ideal conclusion for everybody."

Get rid of the dangers, huh? They both know it isn't that simple. If the same organization is tar getting Lyn, then indeed it's exactly like the messenger said. 

"When do you plan to send Lyn to the academy?"

"At the start of next month or even new years. I'll have her take any extra lessons she may need."

Daichi raised his cup, and Orthez poured the bottle, "Do you think she is ready for the academy?"

"It's not about whether she is ready or not. She has to be ready. I'm afraid this organization aside, one of her siblings is still going to potentially cause her the most harm."

"The one scenario we are avoiding is for Lethia to take the throne."

Orthez sighed, "I don't want to be biassed towards my children. Lethia's upbringing was rather strict in contrast to Lyn's. That child has gone through a lot and has seen more than she should have at a young age. Of course, Andrew has too -, and while he acts that way, his mindset is not corrupt."

"Are you really saying that after what he did recently? I'm aware we have to keep Lyn's identity under wraps until we make the final preparations. But you must understand that slaughter is not the best way to go forward. Ending lives to shut them up, I can't say I agree with that method."

"On that department, we've always thought differently," Orthez trailed off and sighed. "At a time when I thought the same as you. I truly believed that I could save people. I could make changes without shedding blood. But, it's not possible at all."

When she became Queen, she learned a lot from her first husband. "Back then, I disagreed with him a lot. But, at the end of the day, I would always take my words back. Because I saw first hand the sufferings and pain that people had to deal with."

Her thoughts broke off when Daichi stood up and made his way over. He picked her up in his arms and gently laid her down onto the bed - and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Ever since his death, I've been doing my best to make you happy. To make you smile. But, I wonder if I'm doing such a good job. Even now, all you can think about is death."

"Daichi, you don't have to blame yourself," Orthez mumbled as she ran her hands through his hair. "My twisted mindset has been set in stone since a long time ago." Her mother was not the best role model, but even then, one would think she would raise her children usually. But, that's not how it was. She saw death countless amounts of times; she saw the severed heads - the twisted limbs - all that blood when she was younger. "Mother had a peculiar hobby of hanging all her victims in the throne room. She would point them out to me one by one and explain how she tortured them."

Orthez felt Daichi tremble, and she smiled, "You've heard this tale plenty of times. Why are you still getting worked up about it?"

"Of course I would, if...if I knew you back then.. I would have…"

"Don't be silly; nothing would have changed. Would you have been able to stop my mother from going crazy?" Orthez paused. "I've already long accepted it. I'll carry the weight and sins of my mother and my ancestors. I'll bring them down to my grave. I won't let any of my children carry them."

But, it seems like it's far too late for her to help Lethia. Orthez was not aware of what had happened to the child, and before she knew it, it was too late to stop her. 

"Orthez, if you die. I'll die too."

"Ssh," Orthez cooed. "Don't talk about death. Even if I die, you will not die with me Daichi."

"Don't be so selfish, do you really think I'd.."

"Lyn, think about our daughter. It's enough for her to lose and resent me. But you? That child loves you a lot; she will still need you even after she takes the throne."

"Orthez.."

"Daichi, you've already given me so much happiness. You don't have to do anything more than this."

After that man's death, Orthez never thought she could love somebody else. But she did, and that's why she wants to treasure her feelings. Treasure the moment she has left with him before the storm comes. "Daichi, why don't we go somewhere?"

"A trip?" Daichi seemed surprised. Orthez understood why, when was the last time they went anywhere together?

"Just around the Kingdom."

Daichi smiled, "My wife really works too hard. But sure, it'll give us an excuse to go out and have a date."

Orthez rolled her eyes and pulled the man away from her and sat up. Daichi sat up too and hugged her from the back, "Don't worry about anything, my dear Orthez, I will make sure nothing goes wrong, okay?"

She said nothing in reply and just basked in the feeling of being held in his arms.