Chapter 220 - Why didn't you just say so?!

Ah… She shook her head, " No it's quite alright, I'm grateful you did. Back then, I was a bit bitter towards Allen. Releasing that I'm the one who drove him to a corner, it made me feel awful, and I was aware that you and the others were only concerned about me," Lyn murmured.

"Lyn, perhaps do you still like him?" Kazuya's tone wasn't jealousy. But Lyn sensed his discomfort.

A burst of light laughter escapes her lips, " No no you misunderstand that's not what I wanted to talk about. You see just now there was a commotion about ghosts, right?"

Kazuya nodded, "…don't tell me you…."

"I wouldn't do that! Gee why do both you and Rhys have to have the same way of thinking…"

"Since it concerns you, I'm sure even Rhys thought the same."

Come to think of it; he gave her a strange look after the meeting was over. Lyn sighed, "…Even I wouldn't do something like that…during a time like this..." she trails off, " I get it, you know? Even in a place like this where it looks like nothing will happen, you cannot spend the days peacefully. Ever since the previous attack, I'm fully aware of how everyone's been on edge. Just now I was slightly startled at the mention of the ghost, because….it's a sign, isn't it? That eventually, something will happen again."

"Do you perhaps dislike battles?"

Lyn weakly smiled, "I don't think there is anybody alive who likes battles, even those who like weapons.." her gaze dimmed. Even now, Lyn could recall it clearly, the expression of those people dying on the battlefield. The expression of those who came back to camp with external wounds hoping to be saved, but ended up dying.

"What are you doing?" Lyn asked. He suddenly got close to her.

"I was thinking we were standing too far apart for a couple who was just close a few hours ago."

Lyn rolled her eyes, "My body still hurts you know."

Kazuya laughed, "I think that's supposed to be normal."

"Do you think anybody noticed?"

"Noticed?"

"Reiji, one of the Snow Kingdom Knights told me that my scent would change if I intimate contact with somebody for a long time," Lyn recalled. But then again, Lyn didn't know exactly what he meant by that. But Lyn had a feeling that those people could notice. 'She supposes she would find out tomorrow,' Lyn looked towards Kazuya. "Are you happy?" she asked him.

"Happy?"

"Ah-huh, Rhys always made it sound like having intimate contact in a relationship is important. While I do understand the desire to be held by the one you love, something still feels weird to me."

Kazuya smiled, "Well, the reality is people are selfish beings."

"I can't deny that."

"But for something as important as this, they have to consider their partners; otherwise they would be nothing more than sc.u.m," Kazuya trailed off, "I wouldn't have touched you if I knew you didn't want to."

"I didn't say anything though, how did you know?"

"I just did."

Lyn wondered if Kazuya felt it too. When she looked at his eyes at that moment, all their emotions - everything she felt for him came spilling through. Her gaze flickered towards the sky, it was dark, as one would expect of nightfall. But, "The moon in the Snow Kingdom looks different, is it because of the different temperatures?"

...

- Lounge - 8:00 am 

"Princess Lyn and co… Please come this way…"

Lyn blinked at the servants panicked expression, "What is the matter?"

"Your brother…Prince is…"

Eldest brother? Lyn immediately rushed out of the room, and sure enough, she could spot his carriage at the gate. Eventually, she arrived outside and made her way towards the gate. There stood her eldest brother, speaking with Princess Eva and the other Snow Kingdom Knights.

"Eldest brother."

A deep sigh escaped the man's lips, "A simple drop off mission delayed you for so long?"

"I apologize…" Indeed, her absence from the Kingdom is inexcusable. She even dragged Allen here and his entire group over. Kazuya and Rhys must have important work to attend too.

Andrew looked over at the Snow Kingdom Knights, " It appears as though there has been a miscommunication on both sides. Then again, Prince Ralph did not make it clear to you exactly what you were supposed to do. Let us head to the castle right away."

….

Snow Kingdom Main Castle

"Ehhh? The item mentor wants me to hand over is.."

"A healing item for the King's illness," Andrew explained, "Since you weren't handling it over right away, and dawdling about in other towns. The people here thought you intended to use it for your own means. Since you were acting that way, they may as well use you for their own benefit."

What the… Lyn shot a glare at Reiji, "Why didn't you just say so!!"

"You didn't ask."

Gahhh! She thought they were the bad guys. Lyn sighed, well she supposes this kind of outcome wasn't all too bad. She stopped and reformed Prince Ereland; she even met up with that person again.

"I apologize then for getting distracted, but I simply couldn't leave the other towns be."

Reiji interjected, "That's natural, our security towards other towns has become lax for the past few years now. Since the King's condition is unstable."

"Not to mention how others fear us," Shu explained. "They don't even let a cutie like me be."

"It seems like this would have all been resolved if Prince Ralph just told you what was going on," Andrew shook his head, "You can ask him for answers another time."

"Eldest brother, how did you…"

"While I was busy taking care of the damage, those posters did on you. Your aide came to find me, she explained the current situation here, 'Things have gotten out of hand, and the Princess needs to return before the banquet to prepare.' "

Her sweatdropped at that comment, Lyn could picture Pupillam saying those words. "Why did we leave Kazuya behind?"

"I already sent those people back."

Sent them back? Lyn frowned, "Why couldn't I leave with them?"

"My dear sister, you'll see them when you return. Don't fuss so much, besides it would be better if you met with the King properly."

Her impression of the King is terrible, though. The small exchange between him and Princess Eva made her feel very bitter. For such a small child like that to talk in such a manner, naturally who would like it?