The fate of the world, the fate of this Empire, all rests on the shoulders of a sixteen-year-old girl. It may sound ridiculous. However, Kazuya has spent so long by her side now. He wondered if the elders had any idea about it. This girl is the key to solving the crisis in the Empire. The reason why they picked Lyn, and n.o.body else. Is this it?

"Indeed, it"s strange. But for me, it really is easier - it motives me better if I say I"m doing something for your sake. Although it"s quite selfish of me to say that when there are loads of people who have entrusted their hopes and dreams to me, in the end, I"ll probably end up prioritizing my love and family. Do you think it"s strange now?" Lyn questioned him.

Despite the darkness of the night and the only source of light coming from the moon outside. Kazuya the look on the black-haired girl"s eyes. "I do not."

"Now then, time to go."

Kazuya reached over and grabbed hold of her collar, "Hold on a second. "

"Your reflexes are quicker than Rhys!"

He sighs deeply, geez. So she was just trying to escape. He should have known that she would do something like this. "Don"t tell me that talk just now was--"

"No, it wasn"t," Lyn quickly cut him off. Kazuya could have easily called her a liar, and yet those piercing colored orbs clearly said something different.

This person is very good at tricking other people. How many times did he fall for her traps? Kazuya knew that Lyn was not deliberately trying to trick him. However, whenever she does trick him, there is usually more to it than meets the eye. Lyn flinched and winced in pain.

Huh? He did not grab her that tigh— Kazuya froze. On the girl"s neck were discolored bruises, his entire face turned pale when he saw it. Lyn quickly tried to cover it, but he grabbed hold of her hands. Kazuya immediately loosened the girl"s clothing and saw it - bruises on her shoulders. Her chest and stomach were slightly exposed, even there - so many dark markings.

"Uh, listen to me, Kazuya. It isn"t what you think, so uh…"

It isn"t what he thinks? Kazuya pressed his hands on one of the marks, and he saw Lyn break into a sweat. Just touching it like this hurts, let alone move around drastically.

Kazuya was furious with her. His maroon-colored eyes blazed with rage. His entire body trembled, he shook all over. For once, he wasn"t even trying to hide his anger. Normally, when Lyn does something reckless. Kazuya would not say a word. He would simply hold her tightly and hope she would understand his thoughts. That was naive of him. Of course, if he treats her this way, she will think it"s okay to act recklessly. Now, he understands why Rhys and her brothers act strict with her.

He couldn"t miss the bruises on her neck and all over her arms, even if he wanted to. Kazuya thought he saw a glimpse of it the other day, but he dismissed it as nothing. But, now that he got a closer look, he wasn"t pleased at all. Kazuya knew that Lyn didn"t want to make a fuss about this. She never wanted to confined in him about such things, because she understood that it would cause him pain. She never wanted their moments to be filled with anger and disappointment.

Lyn always smiled around him; she smiled so brightly. Though she would occasionally have her moments and break down. Most of the time, Lyn smiled around him. She seldom complained.

Even now, she"s trying to pretend that nothing is wrong.

"Lyn ...you -- your so foolis.h.!.+" Kazuya screamed. He couldn"t believe her. To think she thought of sneaking of despite having this many injuries. Kazuya already knew where she was going. Lyn thought he didn"t know about her little night raids. But how could he not know about them? Ever since they met again, all Kazuya has done is watched her. Not a single day goes by where he doesn"t watch over Lyn.

If he isn"t around to do so, he asks Rhys or somebody else to send him reports. He always knows what she is up to. "Kazuya, I-" Lyn struggled for words.

He felt bad seeing her like this. However, his gaze darkened. The girl"s sleeves still rolled up, so he could see the markings. Even if he wanted to ignore it, he just couldn"t turn a blind eye to this.

"No," Kazuya exclaimed. "Don"t you dare try to bribe me this time, Lyn. There will be no apologies, or I"m fine or the usual stuff. Do you know how irresponsible you"ve been acting these days? If I didn"t follow you secretly, do you know what could have happened?!"

He doesn"t know what possessed her to act so carelessly. What possessed her to take on such reckless jobs? Going to those kinds of places, in the middle of the night. The sight from the previous might disturbed him greatly.

"You could have died, Lyn! Even if I was nearby, what if I didn"t make it in time? What do you think will happen to me if something bad happened to you?" No matter how angry he was, he was still concerned.

"Her wounds look terrible." The bruises have turned purple, but it must hurt a great deal.

He was scared, so very scared.

How could Lyn act so recklessly like this? Does she not realize what pain and her actions cause those who care about her? What if something happened to her? If she died, does she not realize what would happen to him.

Kazuya had calmed down slightly, but now his heart ached just thinking of the pain she went through. He glanced down, trying to hide the tears falling from his eyes. He didn"t want Lyn to see his tears. Though Lyn tells him all the time, it"s okay to rely on him and be weak.

He clenched his fists. He didn"t want her to know how much pain this brought him. Or maybe it would be better if she knew. If she knew, then Lyn wouldn"t scare him like this, right?