On the other side of the Mist Kingdom, in the district. At one of the largest brothels, was Rhys. The reason why he was here? It was obvious. His gaze fell on the window as he looked at the busy streets. While this area is not directly in the main town, it was still a dangerous area. Many of the Stone Kingdom men come to this place to relax. So none of the Mist Kingdom elites or soldiers should be here. But from here Rhys spotted many familiar faces on the streets. A deep sigh crossed his lips.

"Did you know it is the Second Princess birthday today?"

The woman with him now is not the one he chose to see. But she is the back up, Rhys did not like her. But he did not dislike her either. He is not attached to any of the women in this place. At least he isnt attached to the ones who have hidden intentions. 

"Birthday?" Rhys repeated.

"Not even knowing the birth date of the woman you love, what a cruel man."

"Everybody in the district knows, and so?" she questioned.

Rhys already knew what she was trying to get at, but he did not reply. Images of his previous attempts appeared in his head. Rhys did not like talking about what happened between him and Lyn. He wanted to respect the girl"s privacy. But one of the main reasons why he dropped by today was because he was getting frustrated. 

"I didn"t touch her."

It was four simple words and yet Sasara understood, the girl burst into laughter and Rhys looked away. "Is it that amusing?"

"Of course it is. For a man like you who has laid their hands on every single girl in this place not to touch is strange." Sasaras lips curved to a smile. "I thought a little girl like that would make an interesting play toy for you, rumors say she is innocent and doesnt know anything of the world."

Innocent, that girl? Rhys wanted to laugh. That Princess is not innocent. Rhys wondered why he did not notice it much sooner.

"I would appreciate it if you didn"t go near my customers." An icy voice from the door way said. 

His lips curve to a smile when he hears a familiar voice. Rhys glanced over and saw a tall woman with long lilac coloured hair. Here she is, this is the woman he mainly - no the only one he was fond of. To him all the other girls were nothing. But this one? There was something that differed from all the others. The number one courtsean in this establishment, Melissa.

Before a fight could break over, Rhys extended his hand out. "Melissa."

At that comment Sasara"s entire face turned red embarra.s.sed. A mixture of anger and embarra.s.sment. "Fine then!" She exclaimed and rushed out of the room.

"It seems you hurt her pride."

Rhys sighed. "She already knew she was a subst.i.tute, I don"t understand why she is upset." 

Melissa sat down on his lap and ran her fingers through the exposed gap in his clothes. A content hum pa.s.sed his lips. "You"re good at this."

Melissa sighed. "Of course sir," She emphasized the sir. "This is my job."

Her job huh? Rhys always felt that this girl does not belong in a place like this. Her movements are far too elegant and graceful for somebody in this place. While the courtesans here are trained to be graceful and elegant. Rhys could tell the difference between the real deal and a fake.

"Do more." Rhys instructed. It was just two words and yet that was enough.

He watched as she leaned forward and brought her lips there. This was what he needed right now. Rhys came here for another reason but the main reason was he could not take it anymore. This deal he made with Lyn to act as her lover to draw Princess Lethias attention. But he was at the end of his limit. What is wrong with that girl? Does Lyn not understand what her careless actions are doing to him? 

Rhys felt even more troubled when he realized the Princess was not as innocent as he thought. If it were the old her then sure it was okay. But the present her? She must be doing it deliberately, otherwise-- his thoughts broke off when he felt Melissa s.h.i.+ft her attention elsewhere.

"Mel.." He groaned. 

"Sir Rhys, let me serve you."

Rhys nodded and pulled the girl towards him.

....

Three hours later

"I didn"t think you would come here anymore."

Rhys raised his eyebrows when he heard that comment from her. It was unlike Melissa to listen to such rumors. But since she mentioned it, it must mean she is worried about it too. He caressed her hair. "Does it bother you?"

"I won"t deny it. After all I do think I am only successful because of you."

"Don"t act coy on me." Rhys muttered. "I know fame and success mean nothing to you."

Melissa sighed. "I suppose you"re right there." She rested her head on his shoulders. "Lord Rhys, if you enter a relations.h.i.+p with the Princess, surely you will not come here anymore."

Rhys did not miss how quiet she ended her sentence. He knew rumors were going around. Everything was going according to Lyns plan. Still he did not know what kind of rumors were going around. Should he ask? Melissa is not the type of person who would bring this up even if it bothered her.

"What kind of rumors have you heard?"

Melissa paused, she seemed to hesitate before she decided to speak up. "Other than your s.e.xual relations.h.i.+p. People say your serious about her and intend to marry her."

s.e.xual relations.h.i.+p huh? That wasn"t the image he was going for when he decided to court Lyn. But he supposed this is better than nothing.

"What do you think?" Rhys asked.

He was genuinely curious what she thought about this situation. What did people think? Did they truly believe that he was using Lyn?

"I think you want to marry her." Melissa spoke up. "Not because of her status----" Rhys didn"t give her a chance to finish her sentence.

He pushed her down onto the futon. "Don"t speak." Rhys mumbled.

"-not because of her status but because you love her.." He does not want to hear those words.

..