𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 • k. ayato

06

☄. *. ⋆

Her pace was fast as she walked to Ayato's office. Her fists were clenched, and she felt she was going to be sick, she noted, as tears stung her eyes. She had been betrayed by many before, her own family even, and it hadn't mattered as much. So, why did this one cut so close?

This headache and these thoughts made for unbearable pain. It was a miracle she was still standing straight through the dizziness she was battling against.

She reached Ayato's office doors and stormed in without giving the guards a chance to stop her. They had heard she was sick, and she did look unwell—her pale face and dark under eyes. She looked like a corpse walking, and yet the aura around her was so fierce.

Ayato looked up from his desk at the woman who was now standing before him.

He sighed, "Leave us," he then made eye contact with the guards behind his wife and he watched them as they swiftly bowed and closed the doors to his office.

They were now alone. Much to Ayato's misfortune.

"You look... awful," he commented on her appearance, putting down the feather he was holding and intertwining his fingers.

"You betrayed me. Yet again," her vision was blurred, but she could tell it was Ayato in front of her by the light blue color filling her vision. His hair made quite the impression on her when she first saw it. It was a beautiful color that complimented his features splendidly.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure what you're talking about, lady [Y/N]."

He knew. Of course, he knew, how could he not?

A gentle smile crept its way upon his face, and he stood up, walking closer to support the woman who was barely standing. He could tell the servant used too much poison and he was going to make sure he'd punish him severely. In the meantime, he wished to calm her down.

"Y-You poisoned me, It was you..." She could no longer see much of anything. She could only place her hands neatly on his chest to support herself, which luckily gave her the advantage of knowing where he was even without her eyesight.

"I didn't betray you. For there to be betrayal, there would have had to be trust first. And as far as I'm aware, there was none between us."

She gripped his collar, "You're wrong. I was ready to... trust... you."

"You're a woman who seeks nothing but power. You must understand that that makes you untrustworthy, yes? I cannot allow myself to fall for you. I cannot allow anyone to have the chance to harm those I hold dear to me."

[Y/N] furrowed her brows and gritted her teeth. Just how messed up of a man was he? He poisoned her for Archon's sake!

"I understand you're in pain. And I will make sure to punish the servant who dared to overuse the poison I had given him. You needn't worry."

Ayato smiled gently as he brought her into an embrace, stroking her hair. He was hoping she would pass out now, as she was barely conscious because of the pain. But instead, she did something he wasn't expecting at all.

Her fist connected with his stomach, making him curl up slightly and let go of her. As he did so, he caught a glimpse of her gaze. It was much sharper than before. Had her mind cleared up? Or was she pushing through the pain with sheer willpower in order to enact revenge on him?

"He's dead. Don't you dare speak as though... you'd be doing me a favor by punishing him."

As she spoke she staggered, yet still managed to stay on her feet.

The punch she landed on Ayato was infused with her elemental powers, making him drop to his knees, a sick feeling curdle in the pit of his stomach.

Her face darkened as she looked down at him, "Please... don't let mistrust take away the little bit of happiness you could find with me." She swallowed hard, "please," Her voice cracked as tears began to sting her eyes once more, "Don't make me live alone for the rest of my life just because you're too scared to trust someone who has clearly opened their heart for you!"

Ayato grunted and slowly got up from the ground, "I can't."

He dusted off his palms, as this time - he was the one glaring at her, "And I'm not saying this to spite you. It's simply hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it. I cannot take that risk. Not with you."

[Y/N]'s breath hitched, and she let out a murmur, "Then, are we going to keep stabbing each other in the back for the rest of our lives? Is that what you want?"

Ayato sighed, averting his gaze away from her. He was surprisingly upset. Something he did not expect to be.

"Betrayal. Heartbreak. Immoral. You use all these words far too generously. You came here ready to start a war with me just because you had to marry me. And, while I do understand that you were stripped away of your position as heir, you still have a father and a brother who will protect you. Take it from me—anger is a poison, and you have let yourself be blinded by it for far too long."

Upon his words, tears streamed down her face. He was right, and yet, she still couldn't forgive him. By doing all that he did, he was protecting his family just as she has been protecting herself by being angry. She has been using her anger as a shield just as he has been using his wits. But still, she wanted to rip his heart open for daring to do this to her.

Ayato walked closer to her once more, cupping her cheek with his cold hand as he watched her eyes blacken as she lost consciousness.

Perhaps she didn't even hear half of what he said.

"Don't expect anything from me. I beg of you," finally, she collapsed into his arms, and he held her close to him.

"I wish you wouldn't look at me like you could love me," He whispered as his embrace around her body tightened, "It breaks my heart not to be able to love you back."

☄. *. ⋆