Chapter 554 - Loyalty

Their fates, huh?

Talk about contradictory, and yet, she truly did mean those words.

Indeed, she believes if it's this person. Then perhaps she will be able to see a different scenery. 

Lyn took the earring that Naoki had presented in a box from behind her. She bends down to attach it onto his ear and pauses. This person does not want to be her guard. Just like the others, he is another person mother ordered to protect her. She wonders how much loyalty she can expect from him.

To what extent will this person go for her sake? How much of that will be fake?

"From now onwards, you will serve me the second Princess of the royal family. Your actions will represent the household's actions - your actions, words, and everything you do. It is a suffocating fate. Do you still wish to accept?"

"I'm aware. But even so, I accept."

Lyn carefully observed him; what a strong gaze and unwavering gaze. If she did not hear that it was her mother who ordered him, maybe she would have believed him.

Now that she thought about it when she first met this person. It was during one of her brother's ship parties. It was around the time the lieutenant was gradually moving up the ranks, and they finally assigned him a post in the royal palace.

….

Year XXXX Mist Kingdom

Teo looked at her in disbelief before he shook his head. Although I do approve of you...I still don't know you all too well, and the others have left it up to me to decide your role. Aside from the senior's stories, you're basically still a stranger to me.."

Lyn blinked when she heard his words.

He is quite blunt, is he not? How very interesting.

"Then, get to know me." His eyes went wide, clearly surprised at her suggestion. "You'll be sticking around the royal castle. I may live in further headquarters, but you're a guard of the royal family now. You will see me around.

"What makes you so sure?"

"Perhaps it's the string of fate." Lyn laughed lightly at his reaction. "So my next question for you is, am I serious or am I not?"

"So that's the kind of person you are. Very well, I accept."

Riku suddenly bows, eh? "Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. Yes, I will see you a lot, Princess. My first assignment in the palace is to guard your quarters."

Hold on a sec---ah gee. She supposed this shouldn't be a surprise now. With that sort of manners and formal attitude, she should have assumed he would be a guard of some sort. Rather she noticed since he was carrying a sword before she saw Pupilliam take it of him. 

Lyn bends down until their eyes were level. She wore a bright smile on her face. "Then may our fates intertwine."

...

Present

It's filled with resolution, unlike the first time they met where there was some form of doubt. But there is still something shrouded in those eyes of his. That something is darkness, although she doesn't understand what kind exactly.

She supposes she will have time to figure that stuff out.

She hears the sound of a click as she attached the earring on him, "Then, I the second Princess of the royal family Lyn has given you the honor of servitude. From now onwards, you will protect me."

…

Lyn is grateful when they leave the throne room.

Her second brother did not say anything and quickly left. He seemed to be in a hurry, so she did not bother disturbing him. Likewise, a messenger also arrived for Allen, and he left swiftly after saying a few words to her.

The five of them arrived in the lounge area. Almost like the servants expected them, there were already drinks and other refreshments.

Rhys looped his arms around the lieutenant." So you arrived in one piece, eh? It would have been manlier if you showed up with some bruises."

"I prevented myself from getting into reckless fighting. It is surprisingly easy without you around."

"Why you…"

"But even so, I'm surprised. Someone as young as you wish to be a guard?" Lyn questioned.

"Yes. My Lord believed it would be for the best for the experience."

"Hmm, is that how it was…"

'My Lord'

Her sweat dropped; now there is a sentence others don't use frequently. But she watched the two interact with each other. The two of them strangely got along.

Lyn gradually shifted her gaze onto Rhys. Ah, it's Rhys carefree smile; she was somewhat relieved to see it. Ever since he came here, all he's been doing is watching over her every action. Though he is taking over Kazuya's duties as one of her guards, he does it excessively.

She wonders if the reason Rhys is protecting her is merely out of duty.

"Princess?" A voice said from beside her.

Uwaaa, he suddenly got so close.

Lyn felt her heart skip a beat. "Rhys, steps back. It is not good for my heart if you're near."

"Ha? What are you talking about?" Rhys said, baffled, but she did not say a word. "So? Why were you smiling?"

There is no way she can tell him the reason. He would surely make fun of her and completely misunderstand her.

"I was just thinking it's odd that someone as polite mannered as the lieutenant ends up working with you." She said it jokingly, yet to her surprise, Rhys expression dimmed slightly, yet she didn't get a chance to ask since Teo spoke up.

"Princess Lyn, if I may ask, have you encountered her yet?"

"Her?"

"It's fine if you haven't, that one is troublesome," Rhys said with a deep sigh.

She could not miss the look on his face. He seemed exhausted just thinking of it.

Lyn tilted her head puzzled. It is rare for Rhys to seem troubled by someone. But moreover, she felt very nervous. At some point, Rhys left Teos' side and sat down beside her. She felt one of his hands around her shoulder and the other on her thighs.

"Lyn," Rhys mumbled softly so only she could hear. "You are way too self-conscious."

"That's because I don't trust you-" Lyn trailed off when she realized what she just said. "I mean, I don't trust your self-control."

"I think I understand." Rhys trailed off. "But even I won't do anything when you are distracted. Is a person's loyalty that important to you?"