She calls him a dummy, idiot, doesn"t look him in the eye. Lyn joins the servants in the kitchen, insisting that she helps cook. Considering how he sprung that on her, he shouldn"t be surprised. But, even so, his lips curve to a smile catching her glance back at him every few seconds. Is she angry, or is she trying to get his attention? He dismissed the rest of the servants and walked over, arms wrapped around her waist. As his lips hurried on the nape of her neck.

"I"m angry."

He chuckles softly against her porcelain skin and murmurs, "My bad. But, you were so insistent on getting that picture."

"I just wanted to add it to my collection"

"That"s why. What if you lose that collection? Someone may see it.." he trails of and quickly adds, "Do you want others to see the face I make only for you?"

Lyn quickly turned around. "I would hate that."

"Right?"

She gently caresses his cheek. "Angry?"

"Na, I find all your actions cute after all."

"I"m sorry, just surprised me. I don"t think I did well since you caught me of guard."

... That"s what the problem is? Gee. "Then I guess that means I have to teach you."

"Okay, please teach me."

He didn"t mean now. But, since she insists and seems to be eager today, why would he refuse? Rhys slowly pushed her against the counter and noticed how badly she trembled. Is she afraid of him again? That sight from before with Melissa probably affected him more than he thought.

"Don"t be afraid, I"m here. Right here."

"Kiryu, that"s bad for my heart."

"Mm."

Instead of a proper response, only that single word came out and he finds himself gradually undressing her. He says teach, but in all honesty, he doesn"t know how to teach her. He simply thinks that she would learn as he goes along. That"s how he learned too, he let himself get caught in the flow. But with Lila, it should be different. She really doesn"t know. He should teach her. Even though he learned as he went along, it doesn"t change the fact that he can teach her.

It"s easy for him, he"s done this so many times. He"s held her so many times now. Even though he"s more serious now than before, and things have changed. Kiryu, knows everything about her body, the things that please and dislike her.

"-As I thought, s--stop please!"

Rhys pulled away irritated.

"I love you. But, at this stage, your telling me to stop?" He already has her practically out of her clothing. Why on earth would he stop now when he has a good view of her skin like this?

"I--I know that, but--just stop a minute."

How unbelievable. When he held her early, she was really embarra.s.sed, but she still allowed him. But now, she"s acting like this? As he thought, he should not let his guard down around this woman. When Lyn came, she hugged and kissed him. So it was easy for them to get in the mood. But how come she is suddenly behavi— Rhys paused when he realized something.

Now that he thought it through was it not the same back then? Lyn behaved this way back in their past life. People saw her as a calm and collected woman. But around him, she would show the most interesting expressions.

"Whether it"s the you of the future or the past, nothing seems to have changed," Rhys mumbled.

"Reincarnation?"

"I don"t know how much your parents have told you about it. But, individuals with our ability, and rare blood line, have most likely gone through the process of reincarnation already."

"Wahhh, that sounds so cool!"

Cool she says. Good grief. He supposes this isn"t the time to talk about it. It"s not like, he fully remembers everything either. Even for someone like him, there are gaps. But recently, the images from their past lives have gotten clearer. Is there a reason for that?

The only person he could ask was that woman. But after their conversation last time, he did not know how to face her. She said she would help him with Lyn, but it is too awkward. At the end of the day, Lady Penelope is still an ex. He does not feel comfortable using her like that, despite what people say about him. Rhys disliked using other women for his own gains.

"Ah, does that mean I"ve been together with you since a long time ago? I knew it was fate!"

Fate? Rhys raised his eyebrows. Since she returned, she has acted weird. What is with this childish behavior of hers? Normally she is so mature, calm and collected in front of him? What is with this sudden change? He does not know how to react.

Rhys pulled away from her. "Pour me some drinks."

Lyn nodded and picked up a few bottles from the shelves. He extended his empty cup towards her, and she poured the sake into the small cup. Rhys brought it to his lips and took a huge sip. It felt refres.h.i.+ng to drink in this mood.

"Do you want some?" Rhys noticed her looking at the drink with curious eyes.

"Is it fine?"

"Well, this is some light stuff," Rhys said as he gave her his cup. "Have some."

Lyn bent down and drank. For a moment, she did not say anything before she suddenly started to cough. Rhys laughed and patted her back. "I guess a kid like you can"t handle this stuff yet."

At that comment, Lyn grabbed the cup and drank the remaining contents in one go. Rhys blinked, surprised, and she looked at him with her entire face red.

"I am not a child!"

Well yeah, that was just a figure of speech. But Rhys did not think she would get so worked up over such a minor comment.