Chapter 41 - Princess Lyn P13

But can she really just go ahead and accept his offer like this? After all, she's an engaged woman. While the concept of relationsh.i.p.s is a blur to her. Lyn understood that there are certain restrictions on women who are engaged already. But when she thought about it, how many of those has she broken since she met Kazuya? Lyn knew she already broke so many rules. An engaged woman has boundaries, boundaries that she can't break. Because of her happiness gaining a friend - having somebody else to talk to. Lyn completely dismissed those teachings and values.

"Is it awkward after all?" Kazuya asked. He must have noticed her expression, "I know you aren't used to things like this.."

"Uh no, um.." Lyn shyly tugged on his hand, "Please take care of me?"

Kazuya's cheeks turned slightly red, and she looked down, "Um, um Kazuya?"

"Wow… I'm getting embarrassed."

Wh--what?

Kazuya laughed, "This is more embarrassing than I thought."

Why is it embarrassing for him?

...…..

Year 4014 North Quarters

And just like that the two of them are in a fake relationship with each other. Even though some people may find it strange, there were those who saw it as being completely normal. Many people end up in a relationship without actually harboring any feelings for their partner whether they are engaged or trying to get rid of their engagement partner.

It sort of stung when Lyn thought of it that way. After all the people who do that don't like each other, they simply have an agreement.

"Big Bro-"

The expression on her brother's face was anything but happy and Lyn understood he heard about the exchange from earlier.

"Uh.."

Andrew let out a relieved sigh, and he reached over to pat her hair, "It's a good thing you're safe."

She raised her eyebrows and then it hit her.

"You knew?"

He looked away and then nodded, "To be exact, one of the guards saw the scene. He didn't know what to do, due to the guy's position."

Lyn frowned at that comment. So somebody saw but ran away? It's true that she doesn't want them to end up in danger because of her, but it still stung. If she were Lethia, then Lyn is sure that that guard would rush in to help no matter what happened. A deep sigh passed her lips, and she shook her head. No, don't think about it that way. From the very start, Lyn understood what her position in the family was.

It wouldn't surprise her if that guard did it deliberately. After all, that passageway could only be unlocked unless somebody personally unlocked them. It's a shame that her memories of the incidence are too blurred, for her to make a concrete decision.

"How long will he stay?"

"A couple of months."

Lyn flinched, a couple of months? Though she calmly dealt with him earlier. If Kazuya didn't come, eventually she would have broken down. A couple of months. In that time he would surely keep asking for her subtly. Like an idiot, her Second Brother will most likely keep inviting her over. The simplest solution would be to reject all invites from her Second Brother. But if she kept doing that, then people would get suspicious.

Contrary to his creepy behavior, Second Brother Kotaro treats her very well. He always dropped by her place and gave her gifts. He always checked the guards and made sure they weren't up to no good. Lyn never told him, but she appreciated him a lot.

Before Lyn could say anymore though, she hears a light knock at her door.

"Hey, Lyn?"

Ah? Lyn immediately recognized Kazuya's voice and unconsciously made her way towards the door. When her eldest brother yanked her back, Lyn was about to tell him to let go, when he put his hand to her mouth.

"So about earlier err, like I do understand it will be awkward. But I do want to make things work, and if something changes along the way, I'd be happy too…" Kazuya suddenly lets out a large yelp. "Ouch, Rhys. Don't hit me."

"You sound like an idiot," a sharp voice commented.

"I'm just honest here. I want to tell her that I'm serious. Even if this is pretend for her, for me this is.."

Her brother suddenly opened the door.

"Ah Lyn---" Kazuya trailed off when his gaze fell on her eldest brother, who still kept her close. "Prince Andrew."

"You'll take care of her?"

Uh??

Kazuya's expression turned serious as he nodded, "Of course, I intend to protect her."

Lyn felt brother push her forward, and Kazuya catches her, "Woah, easy there."

She turned red, as she repeated the words 'protect' and what he said just now before the door opened. What does he mean? If something changes? If something changes, and then what… Lyn didn't really understand.

"For now, I'll turn a blind eye to this and allow you to continue seeing my sister. The moment you do not protect her, I'll simply take her away from you," Andrew said, "Is that understood?"

"Yes."

With those words said, they watched her brother leave. Rhys is the first person to break the silence when he yanked her away from Kazuya's arms. "Well, you heard what he said."

"He said those words to me not you."

"I beg to differ, weren't you the one who came here to tell Lyn about our arrangement?"

A troubled look appeared on his face, and Kazuya scratched his head, "Aagh geez. I don't want to do this. But after much thought. Lyn, you should learn to defend yourself better."

Eh?

Does this mean, Lyn turned to Rhys who stood directly behind her? Realizing how close they were, she moved away, but he pulled her back. Kazuya frowned, "Don't touch her; she's my girlfriend now."

"Fake girlfriend. I can still steal her."

"Aagh, I knew it! You have bad intentions towards her."

"Who wouldn't after those lovely kisses we shared?"

Kisses, Lyn turned red as she recalled what transpired between her and Rhys. Lyn felt faint at the memory. The kisses the two of them shared were anything but ordinary. Though she knew he meant nothing behind it, it didn't stop an inexperienced girl like herself from getting embarrassed.

"Aah, Lyn! Damn you, Rhys," Kazuya exclaimed.

Rhys sighed and pulled her up, or rather he scooped her up in his arms. Kazuya looked very bothered.

"Um, please put me down."

Rhys shook his head, "I think I ought to tell you this first. I'm actually quite strict when it came to training people," she knew immediately where he what he was getting. "You're quite fragile from what I've seen. But I will not hold back if you want to truly use your powers to protect rather than to scare away those you care about. Then accept my offer, Lyn."

".."

This person is dangerous, and she can see why Kazuya seemed hesitant. It's true despite her isolated lifestyle she's always lived a somewhat sheltered life. If she accepts this man's hand, it wouldn't surprise her if the peaceful world she knew this whole time collapsed in front of her. But, whenever she recalled the events as of late - pain spreads across her heart. Far too many people get involved with her, far too many people end up hurt. Lyn no longer wanted to see that.