"Lyn? What," Kazuya paused in mid-sentence when a bright light emerged from Lyn"s hand. His eyes widened when he saw his wounds slowly being healed. She moved her hand towards his head, and after a few moments, he felt something leave his system, and the dizziness died down. As he regained his vision, all he could do was stare at the girl, shocked while he suspected something of the kind before. The Elders back home mentioned it. However, Kazuya didn"t think that Lyn would actually show him.

Lyn trusted him, and he believed her. Unlike before, when he first came here, things have changed, and he even confided the whole details of the plan to her. But even then Kazuya didn"t think the girl would expose this secret.

"Kazuya?"

He pulled the girl into his arms and held her tightly, "I won"t tell anybody."

"En, I know," Lyn leaned into his embrace, "I know, I trust you. You"re so warm Kazuya, can we stay like this for just a bit longer?"

The girl"s innocence scared him at times. Why does she trust him so much? Why does she love him? She trusts him, "I can"t betray her trust, no matter what happens," Kazuya thought. Kazuya checked the area earlier; this place is isolated. n.o.body could have possibly seen or heard them. He didn"t hear any approaching footsteps with his powers either.

Kazuya held Lyn even tighter, and the girl cheerfully laughed, "Ah, you know I was thinking Kazuya. Maybe we could go on a few dates?"

"Dates?"

Lyn nodded, "Dates."

....

- Inn -

"Say, Rhys, what would be a good spot for a date?" Kazuya asked. They briefly returned to the inn since Lyn said she wanted to get changed. The two of them patiently stood and waited at the entrance.

Rhys exhaled deeply, "You have some guts asking me this."

Kazuya sent him an apologetic look, "But, this is urgent."

"Lyn likes scenery, doesn"t she? And flowers. There"s a lot of that in the edge of town," Rhys said.

Kazuya paused, "He really has been watching over her," Kazuya thought. He wanted to have a talk with Rhys regarding his feelings for Lyn. But it seems like there is no need. Rhys will not hold back anymore. If he messes up in any way, Rhys will use that opening to get to her.

Lyn emerges from the inn entrance wearing a pretty looking cloak, "Thank you for waiting."

"Wish, she looks cuter than usual," Kazuya thought as he walked over to her and grabbed hold of her hand. Lyn beamed happily, "Ah, where are we going? Will we ditch Rhys soon?"

"Oi, you two seem to be forgetting the purpose of our stay here."

"Yes, yes I remember," Lyn said, "But I want to go on a date with Kazuya. So shoo already."

Rhys looked like he wanted to say something but to his surprise quickly left. Kazuya felt terrible for his friend; he knew how much Rhys liked Lyn. Kazuya saw the whole exchange earlier with the lipstick and immediately understood. That"s also one of the reasons why he took the match seriously.

..

It did not take them long before they arrived at the central city again. Kazuya expected the people to be lifeless due to the Prince presence, but while there were small signs of that - the place seemed normal enough. It must be due to the effects of the tournament earlier. The Prince did something as disgraceful as cheating and getting caught. So he won"t show his face in the city for a bit. His manor is quite far from here, too, and yet the seeds of fear have not vanished.

Just now they received word however that the Prince was sponsoring another tournament on the other side of town. So much for cowering away, "Have some meat buns, Lyn," Kazuya said as he quickly purchased some red bean meat buns from the nearby stall.

"Yes, please," Lyn said.

So cute, he pa.s.sed some to her and Lyn happily started to eat. His gaze softened, seeing her cheerful smile. Lately, he catches her, giving him an odd look. Lyn"s probably noticed by now his strange he"s been acting.

"I think the matches are taking place over there," Kazuya pointed to the large building not too far from where they are.

"I don"t care."

His sweat fell, "Didn"t you want to check it out?"

"I only care if you"re taking part, but I sort of don"t want you to take part now after the cheating incidence," Lyn said with a troubled look on her face.

Thump. Thump. Kazuya felt his heart skip a beat at the girl"s words. Lyn really knows how to say misleading sounding things. No, from their interactions he"s figured out that she"s a sincere person.

"Kazuya, about what I showed you earlier. I know you won"t tell anybody," Lyn nodded, "But I just wanted you to know, I"ve never used that on anybody else before."

"Huh..."

"Ah, don"t worry. I know what I"m doing. Somebody trained me after all," Lyn hurriedly explained.

He shook his head, that"s not the point here.

"You see, I was told never to use it on anybody. Even when they are on the verge of death, they told me that it is a power that can be mistreated and abused. If somebody is on the verge of death, I must not intervene and must watch to see what the outcome is. If somebody is destined to live, the harsh wounds they sustain won"t be enough to keep them down."

How blunt and straightforward. Kazuya wonders who taught Lyn that, is it her Eldest Brother? That"s undoubtedly something King Daichi wouldn"t teach her. That man regardless of what status a person has will help them. Kazuya heard many tales of how the man saved so many people with his courageous acts. King Daichi is a hero, while Queen Orthez - and the other royal family members are people"s enemies.