Chapter 537 - The King and Queen Part 2

"But, that guy said. ..If a non-power user uses a power, that person will die."

Even now, Orthez can remember the conversation clearly; due to the rare serious expression he was showing then. 

"Please, give me your power! Don't strain your body any further!" she exclaimed.

Although that person told her that giving powers to someone who already has, is just as bad. She will gladly bear all that pain for Daichi. This is the least she can do for him, for him who has sacrificed so much to be by her side even though she can't give him anything.

"Calm down. I'm fine. Besides, that person wasn't originally a power user either, and he's still alive, right? It doesn't mean that I will die immediately."

He makes a point there. But even then, she hesitated.

"I didn't know you had this many facial expressions."

"What?"

When she saw a tender smile on his face, her heart skipped a beat.

"All this time, you pretty much only showed one expression. Now, all of a sudden, you start laughing, crying, and getting angry. I can't keep up with all of this."

Orthez reached over and hit him, but he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Orthez, if I find him for you, will you leave me immediately?"

For a moment, Orthez froze when she heard those words.

"The reason why Lyn remained safe all these years despite her sneaking out so often was because someone protected her in the shadows. Sure I contributed to it, but it was because of somebody else."

No, it can't be-- how come? She saw with her own eyes his body... Orthez felt her face turn cold.

Alive...he is alive...she would never have thought of that possibility. After all, if he is alive, why has he not come to see her?

It is regretful that I can no longer see your smile, Orthez.

Those were the last words he said to her. Orthez remembered it clearly, the cold feeling of his hands that were on her cheek. His hands lost strength, dropping from her face proving that he was no longer alive.

Daichi stepped forward. "You won't? But that's fine with me. At least I can see your different expressions."

Orthez averted her gaze. "You're the one who is causing all of this. It's not my fault."

The reason the emotionless shell she had since childhood has changed this much is because of this man. 

'Your the one who awakened these emotions that had been sleeping inside of me.' Not even Osamu could do that. Osamu was the same type as her, so it was difficult for him. That was fine for her, and she never expected anything like that from him.

It was Daichi, and yet he underestimates himself too much.

"So these tears all belong to me, huh." Daichi carefully wiped away her tears with his fingers. "Don't you worry about me, I'm just not used to my power yet. Given time I will surely be able to control it."

Even if he says that, she won't stop worrying about him. 

"Come closer Orthez."

"Why?"

"Just come over here."

When she didn't move, she suddenly felt him lift her off the ground.

Daichi's lips brushed at the nape of her neck, and he placed light kisses there.

"W—what are you doing?"

"Hey, you said you didn't mind."

"D—didn't mind what?"

"If I make you mine."

Come to think of it, two days ago, on their way back home. Daichi said it to her if there was anything she wanted from him, and she boldly declared it. 

'I don't mind if you make me yours in the same manner that you have been testing with others. I prefer it if you do it that way.'

At that time, she had such competitive feelings.

But Orthez didn't think that he seriously considered it. Is it okay for him to touch her when her feelings are still like this? As she debated in her mind, he bit her bottom lip.

"S—stop!"

"You know, it's annoying when you hesitate like that. Don't run away, you crazy girl."

She is the Queen of the Mist Kingdom, a calm and indifferent woman. In the eyes of the public, that's what she is like. But when she is with her husband, she is just a normal girl.

Orthez relaxed in his arms. "The two of us haven't been like this in so long."

"That's because you're busy, my dear."

Her eyes twitched, annoyed. "If you know that, then you should help me out!"

Daichi chuckled. "But that will be no fun."

Geez, this man, even now, she doesn't understand him. She recalled what he said moments ago. "Did you confirm it? Is that why you're not around as much?"

"Yes, he is alive."

"Daichi…"

Daichi kissed her eyelids. "There isn't a lot of time left, though. So we have to hurry up and deal with the problems in the Mist Kingdom quickly."

"What do you m--" Orthez trailed off when she recalled something. 

Could it be that power? Osamu often got headaches in the past, and he occasionally became sick. He looked like he was battling against something.

"Did you think of something?"

"You knew, didn't you?" Orthez muttered. Occasionally, she would catch the two having a serious discussion, but they stopped whenever she went over.

They were hiding something from her, but Orthez did not want to think about it too deeply. She trusted the two of them, and they were the two who stayed by her side the longest. She naturally assumed that they would not betray her no matter what happens.

Orthez pulled away from Daichi with a pained expression on her face. "You said you would never lie to me."

Daichi nodded. "Your right. I promised that, but I broke it. I won't apologize."

"Are you sure you don't know where he is? Maybe you've helped hide him this entire time."

"Orthez," Daichi said sharply. "I would never do that to you. I understand full well who you love, who you have loved this entire time. That is why I never asked you for anything."

That's right, from the very moment Daichi became King. No even long before then, he said to her that he did not expect anything from her. He told her that just remaining by her side is enough for him. Her thoughts broke off when she felt his hands on her hair.

"Just leave it to me, I will drag that idiot back home and make him apologize to you and Lyn. Hang in there, Orthez."

Orthez did not get a chance to reply because she could no longer see Daichi anywhere when she looked up. Orthez clenched her fist tightly. Now is not the time for her to feel this way, but she is regretful after all. She should have set Daichi free a long time ago. If she did, he would no longer have to suffer like this.

Osamu, it seems that she has not changed at all; she remains the same even now. If he is alive, he would be disappointed in her, wouldn't he?