Chapter 227 - Are you jealous?

The person that came to meet them wasn't his aunt. But one of the Sound Kingdom retired elders.

Roxie was well aged; a grandmother, almost. The only thing Kazuya knew about her was that his aunt was close friends with her during her knight days. Roxie helped mentor his aunt during their academy days. From time to time, she would instruct him to bring food over.

Kazuya looked at the basket tied with a decorative ribbon as one of the items to be gifted beneath the cloth if you asked him though Roxie did not need such an extravagant gift... Even so, Roxie still accepted a warm smile glazed across her thin lips.

"Another present from her, eh?" she mused thoughtfully. The older woman's wrinkled fingers gently straightened the cloth from the creases. "You need to tell her to stop giving these to me," she laughed. "She mustn't bother. It feels like she's trying to prove that she hasn't forgotten our friendship. Silly girl."

This person became an elder simply due to coming in contact with aging magic. Ordinarily, she would only be in her 30's.

"Who could this young woman be?"

"U--um excuse me, I'm…"

"My my, you look exactly like King Daichi…"

"This is his daughter, the second Princess," Kazuya introduced.

"The second…" gaze softened, "Come here, child."

Lyn looked over at him, and Kazuya nodded. She made her way over, "I have not seen you since you were born, how you've grown."

"Ah, um that's?"

"You were present during her birth?" Kazuya asked.

Roxie nodded, "Yes, I came here for military training before. I was one of the guards on duty to protect the Princess from harm. As you know, when a royal birth happens - there is a high chance of assassination. Queen Orthez has a lot of enemies, even back then. The number of people who wanted to stop the second Princess from coming into this world was quite a lot."

Kazuya glanced over at Lyn, who was listening intently.

"The two of you…"

"Um um were dating!" Lyn answered quickly, cheeks dyed red.

Roxie blinked but chuckled, "Indeed, I can see why."

What is that supposed to mean?

"Kazuya, could you leave me and the Princess be for a bit? There is something I'd like to talk to her about."

…..

Kazuya wanted to ask Lyn what Roxie gave to her. But then again, 'It's better not to intervene in her private affairs.'

When they head back, he doesn't 'continue' contrary to what she may have thought. Instead, he sings until she falls asleep.

As he turned away, he found himself halted in his movements by a firm grasp on the back of his shirt.

"Don't go… it's cold…" she whispered, eyes still closed.

Kazuya froze, rather shocked at her uncharacteristic request and found his eyes roving down to her sleeping form. "Of course she's sleep talking. She would never allow herself to say such things of her own accord," he muttered and found himself surprised by how disappointed he sounded.

Kazuya could still vividly recall her scent, their sweat coated bodies on top of each other. The sight of her wearing that nightdress, him tearing it away. Gahhhh! What is he thinking? Quit being an idiot for! However, ever since they did that. That replaced Kazuya's innocent image of Lyn. What an idiot. He told her he would wait. While Lyn was the one who took the imitative, it doesn't change the current situation.

To his surprise, a small smile graced her face in response, and she let out a sigh of contentment.

"Kazuya… mmm."

His eyes widened. Kazuya knew that his ears didn't deceive him this time around. Although he initially dismissed it as him hallucinating, this moment erased that thought. "Get a hold of yourself," he sighed as he reluctantly pried her hands from the fabric of his shirt. He takes one last glance at her sleeping face before leaving the room.

The one who needs to get a hold of things is his him. Kazuya deeply sighed, what on earth is he doing? Their usual physical contact aside. Recently they could be mistaken as lovers; and yet Kazuya doesn't regret his actions. Taking her to his Uncles, showing her to that view and leaving his work to go back with her. He shook his head; he needs to calm down. There are important things to do for the event today.

His thoughts broke off when he caught a glimpse of familiar hair by the window. "Rhys."

"How is she?"

"She's alright, just a light fever."

Rhys nodded and walked over. Kazuya watched as his friend gently brushed his hand across the girl's forehead.

"...Sorry."

"Huh? Why are you…"

"Just now, I shouldn't touch her so easily."

Kazuya blinked in confusion. He wasn't expecting this reaction.

"Rhys?"

Rhys was about to head out of the window, but Lyn reached over. "Rhys, did you come because you were worried about me?"

"I'm not…"

"Un, you're worried, right?"

Rhys turned around and sighed. "I'm very worried about you. I'll do a quick checkup, can you stay put?"

"Ah-huh."

Kazuya silently watched them the entire time. 'They do seem closer,' Kazuya thought. Now he understood why Rhys was acting cautiously about it. However, all is fair in love. Though he isn't the competitive type and the only kind of fighting, he knows is on the battlefield.

Rhys pulled out his scrolls and rolled them around Lyn.

"Wah, I'm glowing."

Rhys smiled, "Yeah. Try to relax."

Still, no matter how close Lyn gets with anybody. Kazuya understands her feelings by now. Lyn really likes him, enough to abandon her fiance. However, sometimes Kazuya wondered. To what extent will her feelings go?

"Kazuya, are you jealous?"

"Huh? Not really."

Lyn pouted and then reached over and lightly touched Rhys arm. "Are you jealous now?"

Kazuya looked at her dumbfounded. Why does she want him to be jealous?

"You know, since you took the initiative I will not refuse," Rhys let go of the brush and cupped the girls' cheeks.

"Wahhh! L-let go."

Kazuya frowned and pulled Lyn away from Rhys, "What are you doing?"

"I was about to kiss her."

'This guy!!' Kazuya was fuming inside. Would he actually do that right in front of him? His anger vanished when he hears soft laughter and looked over at the source. Lyn was holding him tightly and laughing. His gaze softened, "You're sick a lot these days; you should get some sleep while you can."

"I'll be fine Kazuya; it's just fatigue. You're the one I'm worried about."

"Both of you are idiots," Rhys interjected, "What good does it do you two if you're both sick? Don't you realize how important the upcoming banquet is."

"Important?"

"Ah," Lyn nodded. "Right, loads of people will be attending."

"Do you think they'll announce your identity?"

Lyn shrugged, "I'm not sure. I still have to wear a veil."