Chapter 197 - Stupid

"By the way, you were there, weren't you? During that banquet. I heard some very interesting things," Lyn finished bandaging up and treating his wounds.

"My bad my bad. I failed to mention it".

"You failed to mention it you say...." her eyes twitch in annoyance. As a huge purple flame, aura surrounds her, "Kazuya!"

"Sorry, sorry! Don't do that. You will ruin your cute face."

Lyn sighs, "Honestly; it surprised me. I always thought you were an amazing guy and all. But I didn't expect you to belong to know people like that..you don't wear the earring after all."

She really had been shocked. Later on, when the banquet proceeded, more and more guests flooded in. After greeting her own guests, Allen led her to the corner of the room and said he wished to introduce his family formally. Lyn could remember how nervous she felt then and her heart was beating the entire time. She was super nervous, that was until a familiar voice called out to her and said her name.

Later, when Lyn turned to the source of the voice, she found that it belonged to the grinning fool.

"I went through all that trouble to part ways with you and yet..." Lyn sighed, "Well, forget it, but I'm just surprised. You know so many people."

Kazuya smiles, " Are you curious about that?"

Lyn averts her gaze when she saw the look in his eyes. " Not really....when we first met, your ear was bleeding after all, and you were on a tree... I'll guess it fell off then."

"That so?"

This guy really does do everything at his own pace. But...he kind of reminds her of father. That's probably why she became close to him.

Suddenly Kazuya reached out and brushed his hands against her hair in a similar fashion to what Allen did yesterday. Yet it was different, and Lyn

"What's wrong, Kazuya? Are you acting like an idiot again?"

"Aside from our late rendezvous, we won't be able to see each other for a while, huh?"

"Ah-huh, I have to sort things out. According to my father, they are preparing to reveal my identity. So, I have to go around greeting some officials for a while."

"Don't tire yourself out, and dress warmly. You catch a fever easily."

"Kazuya, you have to eat," Lyn didn't know why, but tears started to fall from her eyes.

Kazuya laughed, "I wonder what we are doing right now."

That's true, aren't they acting very weird right now? Still, "It's your fault. I'm like this."

"My bad. But didn't I send you a surprise?"

A surprise, huh?

At the mention of the painting, she began to rub her teary eyes. " Idiot. What on earth were you thinking?"

"I thought I'd be able to see a rare expression on your face. Is that wrong?"

Gee, just because of that?

Lyn knew that there were clearly other reasons and that he was just having fun teasing her. But right now, this is all that mattered. That she would be able to see him again, even if it's just for a little while longer. Being able to talk to him like this made her feel so very happy inside because this person has always changed the dark and negative feelings inside her heart, into something so much brighter.

Kazuya suddenly moved away slightly, " But well, you could say I've been feeling restless a lot lately."

Her amethyst colored eyes went wide when she saw what was behind him. So many paintings. A sea of a thousand colors. He used such simple pale colors ah…it really isn't like him. " That's not the reaction I was going for."

It was a hidden ability of Kazuya's. Good at the arts, usually in these times men only focus on building up their military strength. It surprised Lyn to find out that he had such a normal hobby.

"You know, I get scared when you act gently," Kazuya's expression changed to one of confusion instantly, as she carried on her explanation. ". ..Your painting has a warm feeling. You've always done strong and intense drawings…"

"That's strange for me too."

She blinks. Eh?

Kazuya averts his gaze momentarily before turning back to her, his cheeks slightly red. " I changed after meeting you. Assume responsibility."

Lyn could feel similar dawn of red appear on her cheeks, Kazuya also feels like that since we met. Somehow just that thought alone was sending a sudden warmth and light in her heart.

"Aha."

...

Everything could go wrong because of this decision. Lyn always felt that she and Kazuya were tied to some sort of strange red thread. Lyn knew what this feeling it was. It was the same whenever she spoke to that guy in that space.

It always felt like every sin and crime she committed was floating around in the air. Whenever she looked in the mirror, she would see them in bold letters, the color of blood dancing around and floating around her. All of them were different shades of red. Almost as though it acted as a reminder for her not to be happy.

The string had then started to tighten around her neck, a feeling she tried not to show. Lyn tried to act like things were still okay.

A pair of scissors, sharp objects that would cut the string, the thread would appear. Scissors or different kinds of blades.

The colors in the dream space world turn into a dull shade; every single time, she failed to cut it.

Whenever Lyn tried to cut the string, Lyn realized it wouldn't break. No matter how sharp the blade is, she couldn't break the string.

..

5:00 am

Lyn woke up panting heavily, and she deeply sighed when she saw where she was. Right, Kazuya left her again after yesterday. How frustrating, she wanted to sleep beside him, but he rushed off again. Lyn slowly got up; she needs a glass of water and food... Well, the servants are most likely sleeping at this time; she can just make something herself. No sooner had she stood up did Lyn hear somebody knocking on the balcony window.

Is it assassins? Lyn hesitated and thought to take out her concealed blade when she recalled something. Kazuya said he would come back for her, right? Maybe... Usually, one would get a person to check, but Lyn had a feeling it was him. She made her way over and opened the balcony window, no sooner did she do so did Lyn land in a pair of familiar arms.

"Morning my cute and adorable Lyn, can I kidnap you today?"

Lyn laughed, "Where will you take me?"

"Somewhere nice, let's go."

"Ah, I need to get changed," Lyn said. She couldn't possibly go there in her nightgown.

Kazuya nodded. "I'll wait here."

"But it's cold."

"Do you want me to help you change?"

Lyn immediately left his arms and closed the balcony door shut. She slumped on the ground; the joke caught her off guard. He was just joking, and yet, Lyn touched her cheeks. It was hot on both sides. Don't do things like that, "Stupid."