Chapter 55 - Complicated Emotions

"Indeed, but I believe the same can be said to you in that department," Allen said.

That's true; she can't deny his words there.

"Is it okay to stay like this?"

Allen's question surprised her, but Lyn nodded. She was also thinking the same. Just a bit longer, if she can be like this with him. Then maybe something will stir in her heart? Lyn isn't sure what to do anymore, regarding Allen.

Her gaze flickered towards the sky, ah she wonders if Rhys got that message yet.

__________

Meanwhile - A Certain Room in the mansion -

Rhys got off the girl and exhaled deeply, "Useless," he muttered. She didn't give him enough information. The reason Rhys accompanied Lyn was not only to protect her. But because he wanted to get some information. If he knew all the women in this place were useless, then he wouldn't have come along with her. His gaze flickered towards the women on the bed; a disgusted look filled her face. This is the beauty of the east? How stupid. She acts more like a whore than an elite.

If it's an elite girl who is to his liking, an image of Lyn appeared in his head.

Lyn was ditzy, clueless, and had a bad temper at times. Though the latter is good for him since it made it easier to hold her in his arms, she always lets her guard down when she is angry. Honestly, her chest is smaller than the girls he usually saw. But then again she is sixteen, that can change in the future. So Rhys wasn't worried about it. Unlike all the other girls who chased after him blindly and threw themselves at him with only one intention. On the other hand, Lyn was different, she didn't hang around him for his money, wealth, or even s.e.x. She stuck with him mainly because he was Kazuya's friend, but lately it seemed like she genuinely didn't mind hanging around him.

Perhaps it was because of what happened in the past, but Rhys had grown used to it. People using him, that was fine - he would use them back whether it's sleeping with them for information or filling the void in his heart. Rhys liked the warmth that came with joining his body with another person. Lyn always called him a pervert, maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't; maybe he was just a messed up child - the scared, emotionally messed up child with hidden secrets. Either way, the woman named 'Lyn' was already changing his lifestyle.

"What is it, Luxin?"

A man stepped out of the shadows of the room, "That woman was my companion tonight," this man was 'Luxin,' an information broker - and somebody who did odd jobs. They met a long time ago during his visit to the Rain Kingdom.

Rhys rolled his eyes, "Instead of blindly following orders like a dog; you should have just come to me."

"I apologize, I did not realize you were amongst the team that came here. Do you require my assistance?"

"Well, that depends. Who is your current employer?"

"The Safari household. But apparently, the one running the shots is a man named Kofu," Luxin explained.

Rhys pulled out his pipe from his robes on the side, as he slipped half of it back on, "Kofu? It doesn't ring a bell."

"He's a recent commoner who rose to power, and is now considered a noble."

Hmm, "A tradition in the Mist Kingdom? Commoners becoming nobles?"

"It's unheard of, at least it was previously. But things have changed under Queen Orthez reign."

"Is she trying to unite the Kingdoms? I thought she had no interest in becoming Empress."

"That's what she's made everybody believe. And it may be just like that. However, something has changed recently."

Something's changed, Lyn's face appeared in his mind. Could it be because of Lyn? From what Kazuya's said and from what he has seen, Queen Orthez treasures Lyn. That cunning woman, is it possible that she is paving the path for Lyn to take her place? It was a foolish thought, yes. Even if she doesn't hand the throne over to the First Princess, there is still the First Prince.

But whenever Rhys thought of the First Prince attitude, "That man doesn't want to become King," Rhys muttered. Unlike his theory with Queen Orthez, Rhys is certain about this one. His first encounter with the First Prince aside - the ones that followed proved it. Rhys wondered why nobody else has noticed. He's

"Where's Lyn?"

"If it's Princess Lyn, I saw her outside with her fiance."

Rhys frowned at that comment, "You're sure?" Luxin nodded, and Rhys didn't have to look in the mirror to know how ugly his expression became. Wasn't she the one who said that she wanted to distance herself from that man for a while? Why did she meet with him? Rhys felt angry, confused, and irritated. Did she play him for a fool again? Despite her innocent nature, it wouldn't surprise Rhys if she did something like that.

As each minute passed by, Rhys felt himself growing more agitated. What is she doing with that man right now? How much time has passed since he left her alone? It's been quite long, has she been with Prince Allen this whole time? All sorts of thoughts appeared in his head.

When Luxin spoke up, "However, she did leave this for you,"

Rhys turned to his friend and saw the lunch box and note, "Say that sooner," he snapped snatching the box away. He puts it down on the bed and carefully removed the note.

Rhys

I made this for you,

since I noticed you don't like eating food prepared by the servants.

Lyn ~.

Rhys stared at the note dumbfounded. What's with this cute sounding letter? And this lunchbox, when he saw the cute wrapping his mind went blank. When did she have time to do something like this? He only agreed an hour before they came here.

"I admit it surprised me; I didn't know you two were in that type of relationship," Luxin said.

"We're not; I haven't laid my hands on her yet."

"So you're planning too," Luxin said this with a straight face and uninterested tone which bugged him. Why comment if he isn't interested? Rhys sighed, that's hardly the point.

Tsk, he clicked his tongue in annoyance, "That's not it," Rhys muttered. Honestly, he doesn't know what to do about Lyn. He thought he could leave it to Kazuya and detach himself from the girl now that it's no longer his mission. But it turns out the damage was done already.

He wanted Lyn more than he'd ever wanted any girl, more than he'd ever wanted anything. But Lyn already liked Kazuya, though it's still in the beginning stages. Rhys understood that from now on, those two would continue growing closer to each other.

Rhys changed the topic, "You approached her, but she didn't get suspicious?"

"She did not. In her words, 'You look like the type of person Rhys would hang out with so here,'" Luxin repeated.

His eyes twitched in annoyance, oh?

"Luxin, bring her here."

If that's how she's going to play it, two can play that game.