Year 4014 Mist Kingdom Main Castle

Lyn got used to her solidarity lifestyle . She got used to her family treating her like she didn"t exist most of the time and simply pa.s.sed any meetings with them with equally the same amount of indifference . It was easy for her to act indifferent . She did not know them . Even if they knew things about her, she knew nothing about any of her family members outside her younger sister .

It wasn"t until she met Kazuya did Lyn realize something was wrong about the situation . However, even then Lyn didn"t want to over-think it and continued remaining indifferent regarding the case .

But when even Rhys pointed it out, whatever walls she built vanished completely . Lyn felt her first brother"s watchful gaze on her during the beginning of the meal . Coming in together was awkward enough, let alone him still looking at her . Isn"t it fine already? She already answered all his questions .

Lyn hid nothing - she told him everything regarding Kazuya . She didn"t see the need to hide anything when he was so clearly testing her . He already knows everything, why does she have to hide? It"s stupid . This entire situation is stupid . Meeting once in a while to have a meal together?

What good does that do, all they talk about is political affairs? Currently, her eldest sister was speaking about the matters in the North while Kotaro made inquiries on Fathers deal with another Kingdom .

How boring, this atmosphere . Lyn didn"t realize it before, how stifling the atmosphere in these events were . It"s not like when she"s with Kazuya, or with Pupillam and the General .

Lyn can"t bring herself to smile or even laugh . Her gaze darkened, exactly what has she been doing this whole time? Why is she only just noticing these things now? Was she brainwashed into thinking her solitary confinement was okay? It"s no wonder Kazuya wants to show her the world . If he didn"t take her hand, perhaps she would remain completely clueless .

But now she knows, Lyn doesn"t know how to face her family members . Though she ate, she ate her food silently - that"s something that hasn"t changed . But unlike before where she was determined to prove her point and looked at everyone with a determined gaze . The whole meal Lyn avoided looking at anyone like the plague . She was afraid that they would see through the changes in herself .

Her thoughts broke off when she hears something, a faint voice resounding in the air . Lyn isn"t sure at first and didn"t pay any attention to it . She wanted to concentrate on finis.h.i.+ng her food quickly, say she"s tired and excuse herself quickly . But after a few minutes, she hears it again .

"Lyn, be careful . "

Kazuya? Lyn immediately got up and made her way over to the window . It"s bad manners to stand up in the middle of the meal . But she seldom cared about that right now . What"s important is she heard Kazuya"s voice . Be careful? She felt her face color turn pale, did . . . did something happen to him?

Lyn was fully aware that the main reason why Kazuya didn"t want others to see them together was because of the plans his group had . He must have been making some extra preparations earlier . The only reason she complied was because Lyn knew this .

Why didn"t she stop him if she knew? Simple, because Lyn didn"t see anything wrong with the group trying to retrieve the item . It"s not like they had particular use of it . If that item can help Kazuya"s people, then it"s okay if they have it . Lyn closed her eyes and felt a surge of energy fill her body .

Faint images appeared in her head, but what stood out to her was the one where somebody got carried away from the palace grounds . Her eyes widened when she recognized the maroon hair . But before she could concentrate on the image, it broke .

Ah, somebody interfered, Lyn looked back, but none of her family members seemed to notice anything amiss . But then again Mother always wears such a calm expression, so it"s hard to tell . Lyn shook her head; even mother wouldn"t do something like this .

"Child, sit down and close the window along the way . Did you not get a fever recently? You ought to sit back down," Andrew"s words cut through her thoughts like a sharp knife .

Contrary to his caring sounding words, Lyn understood what he was trying to say . "Are you not done acting like a fool yet?" Lyn didn"t have to know her brother well to know he does not care for her wellbeing .

"I"m sorry, but I have to leave," Lyn quickly bowed . Before they could stop her, Lyn turned to the window and jumped down .

On the way down she got injured because of the branch, and pain spread through her right shoulder . But Lyn didn"t pay much attention to it and landed on the ground . Lyn didn"t look up knowing full well that they were looking - at least, she felt the hardening gaze of her brother before she dashed out into the night .

. . . …

Lyn didn"t have a particular destination; she realized how stupid it was to jump down without using magic too . Since the pain from her wounded shoulder restricted her movements . Lyn dismissed the pain and walked down the long corridors towards the section where there was lax security .

It seemed like a prominent location, but the reality is - this is a sign for most people . Lax security, it was a death trap . It"s a trap; she knows how Mother does this deliberately to test which naive soul would actually enter .

In the previous opening days, at least during the beginning . There were thieves and corrupt members who tried to exploit this . Sadly, all of them fell under Mother"s trap . This time around though, this area is unguarded . There are no hidden guards anywhere .

She isn"t particularly sure why that is, what made things different today than all the other opening days? Her thoughts broke off when Lyn hears voices . Ah? People? Maybe somebody from Kazuya"s team? While she hasn"t met all of them yet, outside f.u.kami and Rhys, she isn"t familiar with the rest . Lyn is sure that they"ve heard of her, with that in mind, she walked towards the doors .

The sight that greeted her made her eyes widen, yes she found some people from the Sound Kingdom . One of them was all too familiar to her, the man she got to know the whole morning till they separated a little less than two hours ago . Rhys was on top of a woman, their clothes discarded on the ground and he was sucking and biting the woman"s neck all the way down to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s .

Lyn"s cheeks turned red when she realized what was going on . Though she isn"t familiar with it, she"s uhh heard things . Wh—what are they doing? In such a public area…

More importantly, since they are busy she ought to leave quickly . If Rhys is here, maybe there are others around too . Perhaps even f.u.kami is nearby . Before Lyn could turn away, however, a voice called out to her .

"What are you doing? What about your dinner?" Rhys asked .

"I—uh left," Lyn stumbled on her words, as she averted her gaze . Rhys had stopped whatever he was doing, but he only put on his outer robe - his skin still visible to her, "Um, where"s Kazuya?"

"What"s wrong?"

"I just felt like he needs help," Lyn trailed off, "Sorry I know this sounds a bit strange . "

Getting up and leaving her family dinner like that, just because she heard his warning message and saw those images . But the latter was visible, that was Kazuya . There"s n.o.body else amongst the Sound Kingdom team with that hair color . Lyn knew this because, after her first meeting with Kazuya, she asked Pupillam to fetch the details regarding him . Her aide returned with a full description of the entire Sound Kingdom team .

Rhys turned to the woman, and she nodded . Lyn watched as she conjured up a small ma.s.sage ball . A sigh of relief pa.s.ses her lips when Rhys got changed .

"s.h.i.+, where"s Kazuya?"

"Boss Rhys, Kazuysan is ---" the man named s.h.i.+ frantically explained the events . Lyn"s eyes widened, the blood drained entirely from her face . The man"s words confirmed with the image she saw earlier; they really took Kazuya away .

Rhys clicked his tongue in annoyance, "They found us? Hey Lyn,"

"Y—yes?"

"Did your brother ever stand up and leave during the dinner?"

Stand up and leave, Lyn immediately understood what he was talking about .

"Kazuya isn"t a match for him now let alone his tricks . You"d think that guy would get that, but I"m sure he"s going to pick up a fight anyway," he turned to the woman, "Beth, change of plans . I"ll get Kazuya . You follow the path I was supposed to take . "

The woman named Beth nodded but then pointed to her, "And this?"

"Lyn, come with me . "

… . … . .

Before Lyn could ask what he was doing, Rhys had already backed her against the wall, "Was I wrong about you?"

Lyn sensed there was something wrong with his tone; she looked at his expression and saw his eyes had turned cold, "Rhys?" she whispered . But he didn"t reply to her right away . Seeing his growing cold expression, Lyn took a few steps back . Rhys did the opposite and stepped forward; eventually, she had to stop since she felt the wall behind her . Rhys had backed her against the wall .

"You, how much do you know? And how strong are you really?"

Lyn didn"t get a chance to respond to Rhys since she felt his lips on hers again . She immediately noticed how forceful he was; he didn"t wait until she got used to his lips and pried her mouth open . It almost hurt with the way he was gripping her shoulders, and his tongue seemed to battle for dominance against her own . That was stupid; he initiated the kiss, so he was clearly under control . Rhys was stronger than her, but that didn"t mean she could let him do this to her . After much debate, Lyn bites his tongue, and that caused him to pull away .

"L-let me go," This time around Lyn wiped her mouth after the kiss and was no longer speechless .

Rhys seemed unfazed, "You"re strong, huh? I see . "

Lyn looked down; she felt her heart was still beating incredibly fast . Unlike earlier the two kisses there was something about this one . Something with more emotion, "I didn"t mean to hide it," Lyn spoke up before adding, "I have no control . "

This strength is something she found foreign . But whenever somebody she cares about gets hurt, it flares up enabling her to enhance her natural strength .

Rhys reached over and extended his hand out, "You have two choices . Show me everything you didn"t show me before gaining my trust, or I"ll silence you . "

Lyn paused, so he"s saying for the first condition she has to take responsibility if her mother comes out? Show him everything . Lyn didn"t know why she even showed him her abilities earlier during the day . Is it because she sensed that the two of them were similar?

The only reason Lyn even thought to trust him before was because of Kazuya . If it weren"t for Kazuya, then she wouldn"t even know this person .

Rhys continued to stare at her, and Lyn understood .

"I"ll show you, but in exchange, you have to listen to what I have to say . "

Rhys nodded, "That I can promise you . "Year 4014 Mist Kingdom Main Castle Lyn got used to her solidarity lifestyle . She got used to her family treating her like she didnt exist most of the time and simply pa.s.sed any meetings with them with equally the same amount of indifference . It was easy for her to act indifferent . She did not know them . Even if they knew things about her, she knew nothing about any of her family members outside her younger sister . It wasnt until she met Kazuya did Lyn realize something was wrong about the situation . However, even then Lyn didnt want to over-think it and continued remaining indifferent regarding the case . But when even Rhys pointed it out, whatever walls she built vanished completely . Lyn felt her first brothers watchful gaze on her during the beginning of the meal . Coming in together was awkward enough, let alone him still looking at her . Isnt it fine already? She already answered all his questions . Lyn hid nothing - she told him everything regarding Kazuya . She didnt see the need to hide anything when he was so clearly testing her . He already knows everything, why does she have to hide? Its stupid . This entire situation is stupid . Meeting once in a while to have a meal together? What good does that do, all they talk about is political affairs? Currently, her eldest sister was speaking about the matters in the North while Kotaro made inquiries on Fathers deal with another Kingdom . How boring, this atmosphere . Lyn didnt realize it before, how stifling the atmosphere in these events were . Its not like when shes with Kazuya, or with Pupillam and the General . Lyn cant bring herself to smile or even laugh . Her gaze darkened, exactly what has she been doing this whole time? Why is she only just noticing these things now? Was she brainwashed into thinking her solitary confinement was okay? Its no wonder Kazuya wants to show her the world . If he didnt take her hand, perhaps she would remain completely clueless . But now she knows, Lyn doesnt know how to face her family members . Though she ate, she ate her food silently - thats something that hasnt changed . But unlike before where she was determined to prove her point and looked at everyone with a determined gaze . The whole meal Lyn avoided looking at anyone like the plague . She was afraid that they would see through the changes in herself . Her thoughts broke off when she hears something, a faint voice resounding in the air . Lyn isnt sure at first and didnt pay any attention to it . She wanted to concentrate on finis.h.i.+ng her food quickly, say shes tired and excuse herself quickly . But after a few minutes, she hears it again . Lyn, be careful . Kazuya? Lyn immediately got up and made her way over to the window . Its bad manners to stand up in the middle of the meal . But she seldom cared about that right now . Whats important is she heard Kazuyas voice . Be careful? She felt her face color turn pale, did . did something happen to him? . Lyn was fully aware that the main reason why Kazuya didnt want others to see them together was because of the plans his group had . He must have been making some extra preparations earlier . The only reason she complied was because Lyn knew this . Why didnt she stop him if she knew? Simple, because Lyn didnt see anything wrong with the group trying to retrieve the item . Its not like they had particular use of it . If that item can help Kazuyas people, then its okay if they have it . Lyn closed her eyes and felt a surge of energy fill her body . Faint images appeared in her head, but what stood out to her was the one where somebody got carried away from the palace grounds . Her eyes widened when she recognized the maroon hair . But before she could concentrate on the image, it broke . Ah, somebody interfered, Lyn looked back, but none of her family members seemed to notice anything amiss . But then again Mother always wears such a calm expression, so its hard to tell . Lyn shook her head; even mother wouldnt do something like this . Child, sit down and close the window along the way . Did you not get a fever recently? You ought to sit back down, Andrews words cut through her thoughts like a sharp knife . Contrary to his caring sounding words, Lyn understood what he was trying to say . Are you not done acting like a fool yet? Lyn didnt have to know her brother well to know he does not care for her wellbeing . Im sorry, but I have to leave, Lyn quickly bowed . Before they could stop her, Lyn turned to the window and jumped down . On the way down she got injured because of the branch, and pain spread through her right shoulder . But Lyn didnt pay much attention to it and landed on the ground . Lyn didnt look up knowing full well that they were looking - at least, she felt the hardening gaze of her brother before she dashed out into the night … Lyn didnt have a particular destination; she realized how stupid it was to jump down without using magic too . Since the pain from her wounded shoulder restricted her movements . Lyn dismissed the pain and walked down the long corridors towards the section where there was lax security . It seemed like a prominent location, but the reality is - this is a sign for most people . Lax security, it was a death trap . Its a trap; she knows how Mother does this deliberately to test which naive soul would actually enter . In the previous opening days, at least during the beginning . There were thieves and corrupt members who tried to exploit this . Sadly, all of them fell under Mothers trap . This time around though, this area is unguarded . There are no hidden guards anywhere . She isnt particularly sure why that is, what made things different today than all the other opening days? Her thoughts broke off when Lyn hears voices . Ah? People? Maybe somebody from Kazuyas team? While she hasnt met all of them yet, outside f.u.kami and Rhys, she isnt familiar with the rest . Lyn is sure that theyve heard of her, with that in mind, she walked towards the doors . The sight that greeted her made her eyes widen, yes she found some people from the Sound Kingdom . One of them was all too familiar to her, the man she got to know the whole morning till they separated a little less than two hours ago . Rhys was on top of a woman, their clothes discarded on the ground and he was sucking and biting the womans neck all the way down to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s . Lyns cheeks turned red when she realized what was going on . Though she isnt familiar with it, shes uhh heard things . Wh—what are they doing? In such a public area… More importantly, since they are busy she ought to leave quickly . If Rhys is here, maybe there are others around too . Perhaps even f.u.kami is nearby . Before Lyn could turn away, however, a voice called out to her . What are you doing? What about your dinner? Rhys asked . I—uh left, Lyn stumbled on her words, as she averted her gaze . Rhys had stopped whatever he was doing, but he only put on his outer robe - his skin still visible to her, Um, wheres Kazuya? Whats wrong? I just felt like he needs help, Lyn trailed off, Sorry I know this sounds a bit strange . Getting up and leaving her family dinner like that, just because she heard his warning message and saw those images . But the latter was visible, that was Kazuya . Theres n.o.body else amongst the Sound Kingdom team with that hair color . Lyn knew this because, after her first meeting with Kazuya, she asked Pupillam to fetch the details regarding him . Her aide returned with a full description of the entire Sound Kingdom team . Rhys turned to the woman, and she nodded . Lyn watched as she conjured up a small ma.s.sage ball . A sigh of relief pa.s.ses her lips when Rhys got changed . s.h.i.+, wheres Kazuya? Boss Rhys, Kazuysan is --- the man named s.h.i.+ frantically explained the events . Lyns eyes widened, the blood drained entirely from her face . The mans words confirmed with the image she saw earlier; they really took Kazuya away . Rhys clicked his tongue in annoyance, They found us? Hey Lyn, Y—yes? Did your brother ever stand up and leave during the dinner? Stand up and leave, Lyn immediately understood what he was talking about . Kazuya isnt a match for him now let alone his tricks . Youd think that guy would get that, but Im sure hes going to pick up a fight anyway, he turned to the woman, Beth, change of plans . Ill get Kazuya . You follow the path I was supposed to take . The woman named Beth nodded but then pointed to her, And this? Lyn, come with me . … . … Before Lyn could ask what he was doing, Rhys had already backed her against the wall, Was I wrong about you? Lyn sensed there was something wrong with his tone; she looked at his expression and saw his eyes had turned cold, Rhys? she whispered . But he didnt reply to her right away . Seeing his growing cold expression, Lyn took a few steps back . Rhys did the opposite and stepped forward; eventually, she had to stop since she felt the wall behind her . Rhys had backed her against the wall . You, how much do you know? And how strong are you really? Lyn didnt get a chance to respond to Rhys since she felt his lips on hers again . She immediately noticed how forceful he was; he didnt wait until she got used to his lips and pried her mouth open . It almost hurt with the way he was gripping her shoulders, and his tongue seemed to battle for dominance against her own . That was stupid; he initiated the kiss, so he was clearly under control . Rhys was stronger than her, but that didnt mean she could let him do this to her . After much debate, Lyn bites his tongue, and that caused him to pull away . L-let me go, This time around Lyn wiped her mouth after the kiss and was no longer speechless . Rhys seemed unfazed, Youre strong, huh? I see . Lyn looked down; she felt her heart was still beating incredibly fast . Unlike earlier the two kisses there was something about this one . Something with more emotion, I didnt mean to hide it, Lyn spoke up before adding, I have no control . This strength is something she found foreign . But whenever somebody she cares about gets hurt, it flares up enabling her to enhance her natural strength . Rhys reached over and extended his hand out, You have two choices . Show me everything you didnt show me before gaining my trust, or Ill silence you . Lyn paused, so hes saying for the first condition she has to take responsibility if her mother comes out? Show him everything . Lyn didnt know why she even showed him her abilities earlier during the day . Is it because she sensed that the two of them were similar? The only reason Lyn even thought to trust him before was because of Kazuya . If it werent for Kazuya, then she wouldnt even know this person . Rhys continued to stare at her, and Lyn understood . Ill show you, but in exchange, you have to listen to what I have to say . Rhys nodded, That I can promise you .