Chapter 126 - Stray

- Meeting Room, Grand hall -

The reason why he had no choice but to leave Lyn's side, despite being concerned was this stupid meeting. It turned out that the ball bait was already working. Many influential people responded to the invite, and some sent their representatives here to make deals. Currently, Allen was negotiating with then. It turned out they came here not only because of his invite but to flag up an issue with him. Allen, more or less expected it though.

"Yes, it as your saying, the position of leader of the elites may have moved to me. But that is all, naturally does not mean that the lifestyle or principals of our kind would have changed as well. Is it not the saw with your association sir? " Allen asked. When he saw them not responding, he continues, "The one common point is that we all benefit from this. There is a equal balance," Allen emphasized the word 'equal.'

"Even if you say that," one person from the end spoke up, "Do you remember the effects of the previous incidence? Even now we are still cleaning up the strays from that time."

"I am deeply sorry that I could not be of further assistance to all of you in that. But after all, killing strays is your job, isn't it?"

Whenever the word stray is mentioned, Allen would flinch. The stray blood that runs inside him, although he has longed lost control, or have urges of any kind. It is still a part of him. This was one of the many secrets he hid from the woman he is in love with. Unlike her, however, his stray blood and dark magic are unknown. One would not consider him as a stray at all.

"Is it not obvious that you're asking us to take responsibility for our past actions?"

A chuckle escaped his lips, " I apologize, my words were inappropriate."

"No offense is taken," somebody said. But Allen could sense their irritation.

"Moving along, in conclusion of this meeting," Allen said, "The two societies will continue working together. However, if one side is to break the rules, then they will be punished even without a trial. If the person on sight deems that the person is a traitor, then they are free to execute them."

It was clear that many people in the room disliked that rule. Of course, they would, execution with no trial? What if the person witnessing the sight is merely biased? However, this is the best possible way to ensure Lyn is safe.

"As for us, we do think that collaborating with them is the best choices for both sides to continue existing together. That's why we will do what we can to hunt down the threat. This peaceful future you envisioned, there's still a long way before it happens.

The strays, individuals with dark magic, will have to manage to overcome their violent natures. They have to become capable of relying on logic, not instinct," the man who said this was from the upper management of the council said this.

Allen was surprised when he saw the man arrived in town. But figured that he was sent by Prince Andrew to silence the people who saw Lyn. Tearing down the posters as he did seemed to be futile. But at least he made an effort.

If, if such a future were to truly come about. Can Lyn live in peace? Will that fear and never-ending nightmare disappear? If she can find peace, my dear, then he doesn't care about anything else.

"Prince Allen, I have one last question to ask you."

Allen pauses in his tracks to listen, "The way you resolved the council problem several years ago was too drastic. Are you certain, that despite that... Will the rest of the dark magic user's population accept you as their leader? Especially when you only have a fraction of the power?"

Allen nodded, "Indeed, I guess we will have the answer to that question by seeing the percentage of invitees that attend the ball tonight."

But be doesn't doubt the turnout, because her name is being used. There will, without a doubt, be a vast majority. Allen does not wait for the response, and left the room, with much in his mind. However, that thought process didn't last long when he ran into somebody familiar.

It was the man named Rhys. He turned to his guard, who seemed uncertain and yet instructed the other guards to leave.

"I'll cut straight to the chase."

Allen nodded, "I prefer it if you do," he was not the type of person who liked listening to pointless chatter. He preferred honest people like Lyn.

"Tonight's ball, was it your suggestion? Or the elders?"

"Mine." Rhys doesn't waste a single moment before he pinned him against the wall, " I see, you cannot control your anger as well as you could before. Is this the effect of being pushed aside and not seeing her?" This happened once before; words that are irrational and illogical spilled out of his mouth so easily.

"I didn't become the messenger of an elite prince only to have you do something like this. Didn't you say you'd protect her? And yet what on earth are you doing?"

Yes, what's happening right now is a mere mirror image to what happened a few months ago prior. "Even now, I have not broken my promise, I am doing this to protect her. ."

Everything he does, everything he does since meeting her is to protect her. Since he realized that he harbored deep affections for her, feelings that can be counted as 'love,' Allen has done everything in his power to make her happy. No matter how selfish the request is.

Rhys grip on his didn't remain unchanged, instead, it seemed to have increased.

"I do understand why you would not believe me."

It is only natural after he said those words, and yet here he is exposing her to danger, re-introducing her properly to the elite world. Even though the time for the upcoming fight is drawing near, doing this now is hardly appropriate. It could backfire and in turn, increase her enemies.

"I, once told you the reason for my dislike towards nobles, didn't I? "He ends it like a question, but Allen knows he isn't expecting a response of any kind, "For the longest time and even now, I loathed and hated them with every fiber of my being. But after I met her even that long grudge and hate disappeared. Loads of people have said she is the ray of sunshine in their dark world, that her kindness has helped saved them, and indeed I may count as one of the many who think that. But the feelings I have for her are indeed a lot deeper than that. I love Lyn, no matter what happens, I'll love her. That's why I don't need to ask you anymore."

"Even if you cannot control yourself and hurt her?"

"I'm going to take that risk. Because my feelings for her are real."