Since this journey started, she"s seen Kazuya make this face towards her several times already. He even openly admitted to her that he had desires towards her and wanted to do "that" thing lovers do. However, Lyn still wasn"t sure. She loved Kazuya, that much she understood. But to take things that far? Even now, when he is so close to her like this, she isn"t sure. Kazuya brushed his hand against her cheek, it felt strangely warm, and she leaned into his palm."Lyn," he called out softly, and yet with a serious look in his eyes, "May I kiss you?"
It"s just kissing, why is he asking her so seriously? "He"s acting so stupid," Lyn thought, and yet she couldn"t help but get lost in that serious gaze. Lyn nodded, and Kazuya leaned forward.
Before anything could happen, however, there is a knock on the door. Kazuya stood up and left her side, not before laying her down, though, "Stay here okay?"
"Ah-huh," Lyn muttered, and Kazuya placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading to the door.
She peered curiously through the blanket and saw who just knocked. When she saw Allen, her eyes widened, "Ah," just now did he see? Lyn wondered, even though she is dating Kazuya now. The two of them are still engaged; it felt awkward being caught acting all intimate with Kazuya even if the whole engagement process is a mere formality to strengthen the ties between their families.
"A word."
"Yeah."
Are they going to discuss some things regarding the plan? She wants to hear it too. While she can"t help much, Lyn wanted to know everything. She no longer wanted to be kept in the dark about anything anymore. But her eyelids felt so heavy; she knew she could no longer stay awake. "When morning comes, she will speak with Allen properly," Lyn thought. For now, though, Lyn closed her eyes, and the world turned dark.
____
Following Morning - Suri Town - Y Manor
Allen had to admit that he never looked forward to private - one and one meetings with anybody. And that dislike of his tends to be strong whenever it came to a certain maroon colored haired boy. He lets out a ma.s.sive sigh as he trotted down the foyer of the mansion. Every single member of his family had residences in every corner of the Kingdom, this town known as the town of thieves is no exception.
Being greeted by his servants in a row, usually, he would greet them at least with an " I"m back" and start issuing some sort of command. But he really was tired right now. Allen didn"t waste any time making his way down his wing of the mansion. The last thing he needed now is a disturbance; there was a matter of grave importance that he ought to look up now. After all, with a meeting like that, anyone would go rus.h.i.+ng to investigate. " Who knows, maybe you"ll find something interesting if you go". It was clearly said mockingly. The entire time it was clearly evident that he was being provoked. However....
" Be wary of the Mist Kingdom Royal family. Lyn"s family isn"t exactly what you"d call normal. Since the very start, there has been something about their group that has been covered in shadows. During the previous reign, it was not visible, especially with that woman on the throne like that. But that"s precisely why you ought to be careful. Even though that woman disliked wars and preferred peace, it did not mean she didn"t take part in battles. In fact, within the shadows, it appears as though she did quite the load of numerous families and organizations that go against the royal family. Right now, Queen Orthez is managing, but eventually, things will crumble.
With either Princess Lethia or Prince Andrew in charge, I do believe you"ll have the same problem in the future. When that happens, you can take whatever action you take. Only other elites can die or be punished in the hands of other elites. However keep this in mind, I will not allow anybody to drag Lyn into the petty conflict".
Those were the words Kisaragi told him before he left.
Ever since then, Kisaragi has been missing. There hasn"t been a single trace of him at all. Yet Allen got the feeling that he was out there, out there watching their every move, waiting patiently until she goes to him.
For now, Allen doesn"t have to worry about Lyn, leaving him like that so abruptly that is. Yet eventually the day would come, he has already fully prepared himself for that moment. That"s when all relations between them really will come to an end. When that happens, he will surely be not allowed anytime to grieve before being a.s.signed another fiance. Ah, what a cruel world this is. She will not go to that man, no matter how long he wait.
That"s right; the one she will go to is neither of us. Allen had followed after the two right after the meeting ended yesterday and saw how close they were. He thought they were close before, but it seemed like they had gotten a lot closer to each other.
Allen made his way inside his study, only to spot a man with long hair. So much for having the peace to investigate. Although he had known of the man"s presence since earlier, Allen had no wish to cross paths with him unless it was deemed necessary. " ... Make your visit quick; I have business to attend to Prince Ralph."
A laugh escaped the man"s lips," as expected from you. You"re so upright as usual..." he trails off, "That business of yours I"m sure aligns with ours too."
"What are you...." his sentence was cut short, when the man held up a familiar item in his hands, with a familiar symbol catching his eye.
He instantly felt his heart sink. Allen deeply sighed and rubbed the temple of his forehead with his hands, "Take a seat."
Ralph nodded, "I thought as much," he sat down on the couch, "So before I go into any details. How is Lyn?"
"I hear it was your idea to send her away," Allen frowned when the man opposite him smiled and nodded, "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" When he heard the news, Allen dropped everything he was doing to come here. He heard rumors how Ichinose Ralph is a bit of an oddball, but he didn"t pay much mind to it, "During these times you send her away..."
"Are you talking about the war?"
"It has not escalated that far to be called a war yet."
Ralph sighed, "People are on the streets starving, homes are getting attacked for supplies. Soldiers are getting dispatched in every single Empire to another place, taxes have increased - food rations are---"
Allen harshly interjected, "Alright you win, it"s war," though even without Ralph"s points he knew that. However, it left a bad taste in his mouth whenever he admitted it, "I do not wish to drag Lyn into this mess."
The last thing Lyn needed to worry about was the dark affairs of the Mist - no the whole Empire.