A Heavy Question

[Kender Bard]

Sunray didn't linger long in the nursery. His mind was on fire, or so it felt like. He'd gone to his study, paced, even did another divination (fruitless, of course).

And thought, and thought, and thought...

And decided to go see Lyra. He had... Something in mind. Something large, life-changing even, but he had to know where he stood with her. Much hung on their relationship, such as it was. Sunray beat a quick path to the bardic guild and asked for Lyra there.

[Darastrix]

Lucius led Sunray to one of the guild's practice rooms, where Lyra was busily tuning a small lap harp. She looked slightly disheveled--she'd been working on tuning the great floor harps earlier that day--and her hair was bound back into a slightly lopsided braid to keep it out of the way. She smiled when she looked up and saw Sunray, and set her work aside to rise and greet him. "Sunray, I wasn't expecting you to come by," she said, blowing her bangs out of her face. Lucius stepped back and discreetly closed the door as Lyra crossed the floor to give Sunray a warm hug.

[Kender Bard]

Sunray clasped Lyra. His hug was loving as well - but there was an edge of desperation to it as he fairly clung to her. "Lyra," he whispered, reveling in the moment. Then, slowly, he released her and took a step back. "Lyra, I came because I have something I need to know. This is going to come as very sudden and, well, unromantic, but I cannot stress how important it is that I know... and that you are truthful with me, even if it might not be what I want to hear."

He blew out a sigh and said, "Lyra, I love you very much. Do you love me?"

[Darastrix]

Lyra stared at Sunray, taken aback. He loved her? Of course, she knew--had hoped-- the possibility was there, but it still couldn't chase away the fact that he was married. Part of her wanted to not care about that little detail, but a bigger part wanted to make sure Sunray knew how she felt.

"I...I don't want to come between you and our queen," Lyra said slowly as she strove to keep her reserve. "I know she approves, but I'm afraid there might be a difference between just knowing your husband is engaging in a courtship and having him declare that he loves another."

And she couldn't rightly blame Dusk if there was. Sunray was such a sweet, caring man. Kind, attentive, handsome, and so endearingly awkward at times when he got flustered and started to ramble....

I never stood a chance, did I?

"And to know that the other person loves him as well," she finished.

[Kender Bard]

Sunray took a step forward again and held Lyra's hands. Tears brimmed in his eyes - tears of joy so fierce it was painful. Nobody told me love hurt this way too. "Lyra," he whispered, voice rough. "I'm going to tell you something that precious few know. I'm going to entrust you with my greatest secret because I trust you and because I want to know that when I'm done tomorrow, someone in Anarlina will still love me."

He closed his eyes and admitted, "Dusk doesn't love me. She loves my brother. And my brother loves her and, oh Love forgive me, I knew that before I asked Dusk to wed me. I thought... it would work out, but it's caused nothing but heartache and pain for everyone involved. No more, though."

He trembled as he whispered to her, "I... I'm going to arrange it so they can be together - and I can be free. I want to be free to be with you, and I want to give Dusk the life she deserves and wants."

[Darastrix]

Questions swirled through Lyra's head at everything Sunray told her. Why had he married Dusk if he knew Twilight loved her? Why had she accepted when she didn't love Sunray? What...?

"What are you going to do?" Lyra asked dazedly.

[Kender Bard]

Sunray smiled slightly and stroked Lyra's cheek. "I can't tell you the specifics," he said. Well. He could. But for many reasons, it would be best if he didn't. "My brother... is a great man, Lyra. He was born to be a king. Anarlina held his past against him but he's come so far since then. He's just not had a chance to show it. I had hoped that a situation may rise up that would open their eyes..." His voice turned wry, "As apparently organizing peace relations alongside my mother in this land wasn't enough." He shook his head. "Nor saving Talen'sul when Lya was incapacitated for a time.. But no matter. I'll show this land that the king they truly deserve is right in front of them and it's... It's... not me..." He swallowed hard. "Tomorrow, at Audience, I'm going to be saying and doing things. Try to remember that it's not the real me when it's going on. That's all I can safely say." Dusk is going to hate me for this.... but perhaps that's best.

[Darastrix]

Lyra nodded, but her expression was greatly troubled. What was going to happen? "Whatever you're planning, Sunray, please be careful."

Efil, please, keep everyone safe.

[Kender Bard]

"I will," Sunray promised her gently. "At worst, I might be in disfavor of the court." He gave a snort. "That's nothing new."

Actually he was greatly understating the situation, but he didn't want Lyra to worry for him. He leaned forward to kiss her and bid her farewell - he needed to prepare for tomorrow's events.