The more ties you have with people. The more you connect yourself with them, the stronger your burden becomes. Lyn, come with me".

She only saw it as a joke and so he ended up saying it was also. But perhaps back then he could have persuaded her somehow. After all she was already degrading ...

Rhy"s thoughts paused in mid thought then. Her condition was already degrading then? Hold on, but that was when she was in middle school. With an illness like hers, it"s not possible to have prolonged it to this degree. How come? As these questions rang through his mind, he saw Lyn s.h.i.+ft uncomfortably. 

From her actions it looked like she was searching for something.

Could it be… Rhys left the window and sat down on the bed. The moment he did Lyn buried her face in his clothes. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Mmm, I had a nightmare. But Rhys you did too right, about the Rain Kingdom?"

Rhys frowned when he heard her words. How come she knows that? 

Something Penelope said not too long ago appeared in his head. Is it because he and Lyn are dark magic users? But even then this connection amazes even him. Is it possible that her magic is growing stronger? That is the only thing he can think of right now.

"Did you change your mind? To that question I asked you before".

Lyn shook her head, " It hasn"t changed. But I suppose I can"t deny anymore, that your important to me." She paused for a bit and he watched as she played with her fingers. "Rhys I told you about it before didn"t I? That I am a person who cannot love others."

He gave a small nod to confirm her words.

"Indeed I am a person who doesn"t deserve to love anyone. Even before the curse came to me there was already a wall that separated me and other people. Realising that I knew that no matter what I did to try and get close to people my efforts would be in vain.

Back then I possessed strength, strength that others would see as abnormal. I am someone who cannot be blessed with anything as joyful as feelings of love. Only pain and sorrow are the feelings I should feel, and yet although I managed to keep that up for years. Meeting everyone has changed that. Nowadays I think I will be fine no matter what happens."

Fine huh? Rhys thought the same as her. If it is the current Lyn then from now even if he is not beside her to protect her then she would be just fine.

She really thinks about this stuff deeply.

But even though she says that confidently. Rhys noticed how clouded her gaze was. 

Lyn needs to understand her feelings better. Since she is contradicting herself right now. 

"Please do not lie. At least...tell me what you"re thinking right now."

Rhys never thought of voicing his thoughts out. For the longest of time, he intended to keep these thoughts to himself. But since they are officially a couple now, he has the right to say something does he not? 

To his surprise Lyn sat up and slumped her head on his back. "After coming this far, you still want me to tell you everything directly huh? What a selfish person. You know I am equally as bad as you when it comes to expressing my emotions through words."

"Yeah."

"But I guess I could tell you. I won"t stick to my stubborn convictions. I truly like you Rhys."

"What about Kazuya? You still like him right?"

"Yes." Lyn admitted softly. "But we can"t be together."

Rhys knew that she was holding back from saying the reason why. After spending this much time with her he understood what he issue was. Kazuya keeps disappearing on her, it would make anybody uneasy.

Even if he is not doing anything bad, Kazuya is never at Lyns" side when she needs him the most. He is difficult to contact and never stays in the same place for a long time. It is no wonder that Lyn would rather stick with somebody stable. 

If he puts it that way, it sounds quite bad. But Lyn is only a young girl. No matter how mature she acts, she is only seventeen. Having her lover run off all the time and not see him would make anyone turn away. Whats more during these peril times, Kazuya should be the one by Lyn"s side the most. But instead he-- a deep sigh crossed his lips.

"I can"t say I am doing a good job either." Rhys mumbled.

Lyn shook her head. "No, you are. Thank you."

Rhys nodded and it turned quiet again. Quite some time has pa.s.sed since such awkward silences have occurred between them. In the past they happened frequently because they did not spend enough time together. But now? Now silences are rare.

"Even now you are quite foolish aren"t you?"

Back then and even now. But that is fine, since she said those words back then too. Does she know? He"s actually quite a persistence guy. No matter what sh say, he won"t care and does whatever he wants. Yet despite his personality being like that, it appears as though recently he respects her decisions. Ah it seems like he really does become a mess when it comes to her.

"What would you like for breakfast? I think the inn has a breakfast serving. Should we eat downstairs or go out?"

Lyn paused to think for a moment. "Then lets go downstairs. I would like to see what kind of people live here."

Indeed because they came here late last night, Lyn did not get a chance to say anything. 

"Rhys, I didnt bring anything. But.." Her gaze fell on the nightgown she wore."You changed me into this right?"

"Yeah."

The girl averted her gaze. "Then could you bring me the clothes you brought?"

Rhys nodded and stood up. The absence of warmth made him frown. What is this feeling? He does not want to part ways with her even if it is for a moment. He has never felt this way before. What is he going to do? If he keeps falling for her, the situation will end up a lot worse.

The confidence to keep her safe and away from those people after her. Rhys realized it kept diminis.h.i.+ng day by day.