Chapter 516 - I understand a little now

'But your Queen Orthez daughter.' No matter how much he loved her, this thought haunted him at night. Lyn is that woman's daughter.

Rhys felt her lips on his neck and he shuddered. Well if she is going to act so bold why would he refuse her? Still, she is so small and cute, completely different from those other women.

"Lyn, we need to investigate."

The innocent girl in his arms however continued and a content sigh passed his lips. Not that he is against this. She is good at reading people's emotions. She probably thinks this is the only way to calm him down.

Rhys had enough so he cupped her cheeks again and kissed her soft petal like lips.

After kissing for a few minutes Rhys pulled back slightly. "Are you okay?"

"A bit tired." She slumped her head on his shoulders. "Can I rest for a bit?"

Rhys looked at their surroundings for a moment before he nodded. "Hey Lyn?"

"Yes?"

"I don't understand why you're staying with me."

The girl sighed deeply. "What a stupid question."

"I know you like Kazuya."

"Mmm."

Rhys knew she wouldn't deny it. She isn't the type of person who would lie. "Then…"

She brushed her lips against his again. But it was a light and brief kiss, Lyn pulled away almost immediately.

"Does it bother you that much?" Lyn asked. "You seem troubled whenever we are together."

"Thats not it, I just dont understand you were happy with Kazuya." Rhys trailed off. "Even now when he closed his eyes he could still see it clearly. The image of Lyns happy face whenever she is with Kazuya.

"I was." Lyn agreed. "Kazuya was very kind to me. From the very day we met he helped me. He also told me that he wont judge me because of my past."

Your past does not define your future.

Now that he thought about it Kazuya mentioned that to him too. Back then he told Kazuya to save those words for a girl who he really likes. Heh, to think it would end up like this now. What a troublesome situation. He got caught up in a love triangle, and the rival is his best friend. How stupid and pointless and yet Rhys knew he would not be able to give this up. It is impossible for him to surrender. If it were in the past he would not have made this much of an effort just for a single woman.

Lyn is different from all the others. But if she were to learn the truth, he wondered what she would think of him. Would she dislike him?

"If it is like that then why did you two break up?" Rhys asked.

It seems like they have deep feelings for one another even now. It stings to know this but he needs to face the truth now otherwise it will get worse later on.

"But Rhys I am still a Princess."

"Don't let your duties affect you. Besides you can simply allow one of your brothers to take the throne." Even that second Prince would do.

Lyn shook her head. "It wont do any good."

Just five words and yet Rhys sensed the conviction behind her tone. Indeed he has to agree with her there. With the current situation only Lyn can take charge and change the Kingdom. It is only under her rule that the friction in the Mist Kingdom will disappear.

Lyn will do anything to make that happen even at the cost of her own happiness. Rhys looked over and saw the tears in her eyes. Its not like he didn't understand. Ever since the two broke up he felt it was strange. He deliberately maintained a distance with Lyn and kept returning to the red light district. But even when he did all that stuff the unease and fear did not vanish. Whenever he returned to her she would greet him with a smile and hug him but something was wrong.

Facing reality is harder than he thought it would be. No matter how fond of him she was, she would occasionally get that spaced out look on her face.

"Sorry." Rhys apologized. "I am the one making it hard for you."

He should have just let her love Kazuya in peace. Why did he have to intervene for? Its not like the relationship they had at the start was bad. He could spend time with the two of them without these awkward feelings.

Lyn shook her head. "It isnt your fault. I was in love with Allen for so long but I didnt do anything about it. So when Kazuya came along it was a breath of fresh air for me. The shackles that tied me down as his fiance through an arranged marriage lifted. I still liked Allen but unlike before I found out the difference in like and love."

She took a deep breath. "It is hard to say if I really liked Kazuya or not. Or was I only with him because I couldnt do anything about the situation with Allen?"

"Lyn."

"I am very tired." She mumbled. "Wont you take me away? You said you will."

His eyes widened when he heard those words. Indeed he said something like that to her. He told her to leave everything behind if it becomes too heavy to cope and come to him. But unlike the time he said that many things have changed now. It will do neither of them any good if he took her away now.

"You know I want that more than anything but we cant." Rhys trailed off as he recalled Penelopes words.

That future she saw it will most likely occur. Rhys does not know what they have to overcome before then but they will have all the time in the world to be together.

Rhys cupped her cheeks. "I know how you feel but acting carelessly like this will do you no good so calm down."

"Rhys.."

"Your decision to become the Queen, I am starting to understand it a little bit now."

Even though he still believed that palace life did not suit her. She deserves to be free from the shackles of the throne. But Lyn knows all this already. She knows that it isn't being the Queen. Once she stands in that position her pure view and thoughts of the world will end up twisted. She will see many things that she did not see before.

His thoughts broke off when he saw the tears again. "Your crying again."

"I'm not--" Lyn trailed off when he lowered his face and kissed her eyelids.

"You're not?"

"I am." She muttered. "Thank you for understanding."

She won't change her mind even if she breaks down like this. What a stubborn woman.