Chapter 228 - Mysterious Letter

Whenever Lyn wears the veil in public - people misunderstand. They all think she is ugly. Nobody would have guessed that Lyn only wears it to hide her beauty. After all these days, why would anybody hide beauty? Those with good looks get very far because of the bias treatment in the Empire.

"I'd rather you wear the veil too," Rhys brushed his hands on Lyn's cheeks, "You've gotten prettier lately. It would be bad if people saw."

Kazuya moved his friend's hands away, noticing Lyn's reaction. He supposes for somebody like Lyn who is not used to receiving compliments - Rhys constant flirting, and words would affect her.

"By the way, Kazuya show Lyn that."

"Hmm?"

"Don't hmm me, the letter."

Kazuya recalled the letter he received from the other day and pulled it out. Right then Rhys took something out.

"Huh, you as well?"

"Not just me," Rhys looked over at Lyn, "You got one right, Shu said it."

Lyn nodded and turned to her bag on the nightstand. The bag had been drenched due to the rain, but the envelope Lyn produced was not wet at all.

"So, we all got one? Why?" Kazuya mumbled. Him and Rhys aside, who would send a letter to Lyn?

"Mine came with a note, don't open it until the day of the banquet."

Until the day of the banquet? Kazuya frowned.

"This seems too dangerous, we should..."

Rhys shook his head, "No, don't tell anyone. Let the banquet resume."

"But Lyn could be in danger, her envelope is the only one that's slightly different, and she even received an additional note."

"Relax, it's not that hard to figure out who it is. Don't we have a list of people who know of the Princess identity? We can use that."

"Your forgetting that loads of people saw her in the Snow Kingdom."

"Prince Andrew already took care of that."

'Took care of,' Kazuya thought. More like he killed those who wouldn't keep their mouths shut and the others? He scared and bribed them. Such ruthless methods. However, it's true now isn't the time to reveal Lyn's identity. Lyn's identity, huh? While he did do his research on the girl. Since he came here to the Mist Kingdom, he's learned a lot about Lyn. Each new thing he learns, he writes it down in the form of a report.

However, Kazuya recalled what Lyn said to him earlier, "Lyn, you told me earlier that the reason nobles have stronger magic is because of their noble blood, right?"

"Ah-huh."

"How about people like you who use darkness?"

At that comment, Lyn paused, "I've never thought of it that way. But since darkness is forbidden for a reason, then I guess the magic would be stronger."

Rhys interjected, "Yeah, you two finally understand. Part of the reason why they locked Lyn up other than her cursed mark is due to the power of the darkness inside her body. Of course, that darkness only came about due to the curse mark, but her blood is tainted with black magic now."

"Kazuya, why did you bring this up?"

"I've been thinking about it for a while now. During the journey, the only time Lyn's mark flared up was during that time the First Princess Knight came right?"

"Ah-huh."

"Back then, you were recovering from an injury, so I figured it was something like this."

"Kazuya, do you remember what you told me recently?"

"What I told you?"

"That things have changed for you because you met me?"

Kazuya nodded not understanding where she was coming from.

"So, to the present Kazuya... No, it's because you're you now, that I think this is essential to you."

Lyn took out something from the bag. It a long wooden wrapped in a piece of white cloth decorated with gold and silver threads. A crest was carved into the cover of the box.

Kazuya's eyes widened when he saw the crest...

"Lady Roxie told me to give it to you. She said as the person closest to you; I should be the one to decide whether or not you get it."

"This.."

"She told me to tell you that person has already forgiven you.. So.."

Forgiven?

That guy forgave him? Forgave a sinful man like himself? Is that truly the case here? How can it be possible? After everything he did, how is it possible for anybody to forgive him. All those innocent lives that were lost.

"I'm sorry I can't take it."

"But---" Lyn protested.

"Lyn, she must have told you the story already. If you know, you should understand. I've done many sinful things, committed so many crimes just for the sake of survival."

Kazuya's eyes widened when he saw Lyn sway back and forth. The girl's face color had turned incredibly white, and it looked like she was about to die. Kazuya immediately rushed forward - at least that's what he thought. But the one who got to her first was Rhys.

"Lyn? Lyn?!!"

"Rhys...."

"Shit," Rhys cursed, "Hold on, I'll help you right away."

"Okay, I..."

"Close your eyes. I'll be here, just sleep."

Rhys is serious about Lyn. Didn't he already accept that? He knew already. Lyn too has been doing her best to stay away from Rhys, because she didn't want him to misunderstand.

"What are you waiting for?" Rhys called out, and Kazuya snapped out of his trance.

Kazuya followed after.

....

Medical Center

Kazuya isn't surprised when Rhys punched him; he more or less expected his friend to do this. Rhys eyes were filled with venom, "Your really pushing your luck with me. I told you, didn't I? Step up your game; otherwise, I'll take her from you."

"Then maybe you should take her from me."

"Bastard," Rhys cursed and grabbed hold of his collar, "Do you really mean that? Do you have any idea how much Lyn has sacrificed to be with you."

"And you think I haven't sacrificed anything?" Kazuya retorted. "I've sacrificed a lot too! Don't you know how angry the people are at home because of my vague reports?"

"I know," Rhys said, "They are on to you. It's obvious you're protecting her."

"They'll come after us eventually Rhys. That's why I will go back with the people they send."

Initially, he planned to not visit for new years. However, with the way things are now, Kazuya knew better than to provoke them further. "When I'm there, I don't know what they will do to me. Who knows? They'll most likely detain me."

"Kazuya..."

"I get it; I get it. I'm not being fair to her. She deserves somebody who will stand by her side, somebody who will see her every day and be honest with her. Someone who won't just disappear due to their stupid insecurity. Somebody who won't lie."

"You're basically talking about me."

"If, if anything happens to me. Rhys, you..."

Rhys frowned, "Don't," he interjected, "Don't finish that sentence, idiot. You'll jinx it."

Kazuya laughed, "What you don't want to?"

"Even if you don't ask, I will."

A bitter smile appeared in his face, "You really do like Lyn, huh?" Although Kazuya already knew this. It's still painful hearing it