Chapter 11: Fragments of Truth
520words
She got up to wash and decided that today she must find more evidence. If what Mira said was true, the direction of her revenge had been completely wrong.
"Good morning, my lady." Rayne stood at the dining room entrance, handing her a cup of hot tea. "Did you sleep well?"
Lyra took the teacup, her fingertips touching his, and that familiar warmth surged again: "Fine, just had some strange dreams."
Rayne's gaze softened: "What were the dreams about?"
Lyra hesitated for a moment, deciding to test him: "About the Training Camp. Very vague, but they felt real."
Rayne's expression instantly became complex, with a flash of emotion in his eyes that Lyra couldn't decipher: "The memories of the Training Camp shouldn't be pleasant for you."
"Why do you say that?" Lyra pressed.
Rayne seemed to be weighing his words: "You... experienced some things there."
Just as Lyra was about to ask further, Karen's voice came from the doorway: "Good morning, you two. Am I interrupting your sweet time together?"
Lyra turned to see Karen leaning against the doorframe, wearing a friendly smile. But now, she could see through the calculation behind that smile.
"Karen." Rayne's voice grew colder, "Is there something you need?"
"The council is requesting the border investigation report," Karen walked into the dining room, his gaze lingering on Lyra for a moment, "I think we should complete it together, after all, we were all there."
Lyra noticed the subtle change in Karen's tone when he said "we," as if hinting at something.
"Of course." Lyra said calmly, "I'm happy to share my...observations."
Karen raised an eyebrow: "Observations? Sounds like you've discovered something interesting."
"Perhaps." Lyra met his gaze, no longer avoiding it, "Some things require careful examination to see the truth."
The tension in the air was almost palpable. Rayne's gaze moved between the two of them, finally breaking the silence: "We'll meet in the study this afternoon to complete the report. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to have breakfast alone with my wife."
Karen shrugged and turned to leave, but Lyra didn't miss the shadow that flashed in his eyes.
"You don't trust him," Rayne said after Karen had left. It wasn't a question, but a statement.
Lyra looked directly into Rayne's eyes: "You don't trust him either. Why?"
Rayne was silent for a moment: "Intuition. And some...things I can't explain."
Lyra mustered her courage and gently held Rayne's hand: "There are some things that I need your help to figure out. Are you willing to trust me? Even if my request might sound strange."
Rayne held her hand back, his grip firm yet gentle: "I trust you, Lyra. No matter what happens."
This promise was like a beam of light, illuminating the darkness in Lyra's heart. She decided it was time to start searching for the truth.
