“If you have the time tomorrow, I’d love to show you a few more things,” many of the imperial men offered, and many of their partners agreed.
Lyse smiled to herself. If people were already meeting up privately, then they’d surely have full-fledged couples on their hands in no time. But there was an odd one out in the group. Seren wouldn’t even spar, let alone duel Lyse. Though he wanted to watch the event, doggy Sidis snuggled up to him and pulled him away from the crowd.
Did he catch a cold or something? Lyse wondered.
Seren didn’t look like he had a fever. If anything, he appeared pale like he was a bit anemic. Lyse wanted to go speak to him, but Kirstin had her on dueling duty and Sidis was currently in dog form. Lyse fretted that no one could really check up on him under the circumstances, so she was relieved when Kirstin concluded the training exercise and began collecting everyone’s swords.
“Why doesn’t everyone head to the courtyard for a stroll with their training partner next?” Kirstin urged.
Now relieved of her post, Lyse went to find Seren herself. “How are you today? How about a stroll around the courtyard if you’re feeling a little listless?” she asked.
“What a delight to have you invite me on a stroll. Have you finally fallen for me?”
Even though he was feeling poorly, Seren’s tongue was as silver as ever. Lyse actually found it rather charming.
“No, I just couldn’t help noticing that you’re looking unwell,” Lyse said, flatly rejecting him again. Given his nonchalant tone, she could take his words for little more than flattery.
Sitting beside Seren was Sidis, who looked like he was about to burst into tears. He stared pleadingly at Lyse, but she couldn’t understand what he wanted. She decided to ask him about it later. Sidis whined. With all his practice lately, his dog noises were getting to be quite convincing. Seren assumed he was begging to go for a walk.
“All right, then. Looks like the little guy here wants to get up and move too.” Seren rose to his feet, and Sidis stared up at him now with mixed feelings. “Don’t worry about me, boy. But thank you.” Seren then patted Sidis on the head, but he still looked nervous.
The other guests had already begun making their way to the courtyard, and Seren ambled off after them in pursuit. Lyse noticed something else peculiar about him as he walked off.
The Light of Origin...
From time to time, Seren would glance up at the pillar yearningly. He’d said that he wanted to touch it, knowing that would mean his death, even though he’d never been to the empire before. Lyse had to wonder why.
Lyse continued to wonder about Seren. Alcede thought that he might have been lying, that he might actually have ulterior motives for getting close to the Light. Indeed, perhaps he’d just been spinning a story to a dog in case anyone overheard him. That seemed a sensible theory to Lyse and Egbert, who hadn’t been there to witness his confession personally, but Sidis didn’t buy it.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I’m almost certain that he was telling the truth,” he insisted. He believed in Seren. “I understand where he’s coming from. When I lost Qatora, I felt the same way.”
Both Egbert and Lyse were at a loss for words at this confession. Qatora was Lyse in her past life. She’d perished after being swallowed up by the Light, leaving Sidis to anguish over her death for over a century.
“She wouldn’t have died if not for me. If only I hadn’t encountered that kidnapper...”
His guilt had consumed and tormented him. That was why he now felt like he understood Seren, for he seemed to be going through something similar.
“How unusual for you to be so empathetic, Sidis. Especially after you were so up in arms yesterday upon hearing how he tried to woo Miss Lyse. Did something happen between the two of you?” Alcede asked.
“Even though I was a dog, he threw himself in harm’s way to protect me. He can’t be a bad person...” Sidis paused, looking troubled. “And I can’t help relating to what he’s going through.”
“Either way, Sidis, try not to get too close to him. Remember that he’s looking to end his life. I don’t want you getting too attached and tangled up in that. I can’t lose my brother,” Egbert said.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ve been lucky enough to reconnect with the person I cherish most, and I have no intention of squandering our future together,” Sidis replied, chuckling awkwardly. Hearing this, Lyse flushed bright red.
“All right, all right. I’ve heard enough of you gushing about your precious Miss Lyse. Keep it to yourselves, okay?” quipped Egbert.
This time, it was Sidis’s turn to blush. “Your Majesty, when you find someone for yourself, I’m sure you won’t mind so much.”
“Please, Lord Sidis, if you could keep it strictly between us...” Lyse blurted out unwittingly.
Sidis showered her with affection without a care for their surroundings. It wasn’t good for Lyse’s heart when he shamelessly dropped bombshells like that. The mere thought of anyone else overhearing him say such things mortified and flustered her enough to make her head spin. But Sidis didn’t care.
“I shall tell the whole world of my love for Lyse,” he proclaimed.
“What’s gotten into you?” the emperor wondered aloud.
“Lyse has caught the attention of several young men lately. I’ve decided to make my feelings known until no eyes remain on her,” Sidis said flatly.
“So you’re jealous? Or rather, possessive?” Alcede wondered too.
Lyse wasn’t interested in an in-depth analysis of Sidis’s inner workings. His declarations of love for her made her want to dig a hole and hide in it. She was currently in a conference with the emperor, however, so running away would be most rude.
“Too much competition, eh? I suppose we really ought to wrap up this matter sooner rather than later,” Egbert said with a sigh.
Oh, he sighed exactly like that when he was a doggy too! Lyse thought, gleefully retreating into her own head.