Chapter 295 - Take responsibility

The favor Rhys asked her was to pretend to be his girlfriend. Lyn was familiar with the term, but she looked at him questioningly. Why does he have a girlfriend? Isn't he just a child? He can't be any more than two or three years older than her. Thirteen, she supposed that was a legit age to have a relationship. Relationsh.i.p.s in the Empire are strange too. Children got engaged from birth. The two families would let the kids meet formally when they are ten; there are only a few exceptions to that, her eldest brother and Lady Gabrielle.

Her own fiance, she would meet him for the first time this year. Lyn knew that her eldest brother would eventually come for her. For some reason, Lyn felt more nervous about the current situation than meeting her fiance.

"What are you looking at?"

"Say," Lyn looked at him. "You don't like this girl?"

"Yeah, but she keeps pestering me. I'm not even from here so I really shouldn't be getting into relationsh.i.p.s.."

He sounds so mature, even though he is a kid. He's quite tall too. The people who did know of her existence always said to her that she looked more like a 13-14-year-old rather than a 10-year old kid. But now she has found somebody around her age group who looks even older. He's quite good looking. She wonders if her fiance is like this too.

"And you? Do you have someone?"

Does she? Relationsh.i.p.s in the Mist Kingdom are strange. She may be engaged to someone, but she is free to have another relationship. But even then that relationship won't be considered official. "In a sense, yes. ."

Rhys nodded, "Then I apologize for this. But I want to get this out of the way before I head back to my home."

"Your leaving?"

"In a month or so time."

So, he's going. Lyn felt a bit disappointed. She thought she finally found a companion she could talk to. Abeno is a lovely person and all. But he's been raised by the church. Their conversations get boring at times.

"If you want to meet with me," Rhys pointed to a building on the left. "I'm staying over there."

Lyn's cheeks flushed red, embarrassed that she was so easy to read. "It's not like that."

"It's fine, really."

Rhys seemed to understand her, which made it worse for her.

"So, uh we just wait here?" The two of them had long left the side market and were back onto the main streets.

"Yeah. She ought to come soon."

Lyn wondered what kind of girl had a crush on him. Somebody pretty? Elegant? Or mature? Because she had been thinking of these things the entire time. It completely slipped her mind, another type. The cute kind - when a girl with short hair wearing a very girly and pink outfit appeared it was the last thing she expected.

"Rhys!!! You called me, I'm so happ--"the girl paused when she saw her. "Who is this?"

"My girlfriend."

"Wow, she exists? I'm so sorry. I thought you were playing hard to get."

"It's fine, but now you know. Don't bother me anymore okay, Maria?"

The girl named Maria looked at her, "Miss, I'm very sorry."

"Um, it's okay."

"How long have you known, Rhys?"

Wait, is she asking that because she is suspicious? Is the jig up already?

"Why are you asking her questions, go already."

Maria pouted, "But, I want to make sure she is your girlfriend. If your stories don't match, then I'll assume she is a pretend one."

This girl is way too sharp!

Rhys sighed, "You don't believe?"

"Well, it's easy for you just to pick up a random one."

As Lyn racked her head for an idea on how to persuade the girl. Rhys wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Before Lyn could react, his lips were on hers. She wondered what the bystanders thought when they saw two kids kissing?

Maria's cheeks were fl.u.s.tered; she looked utterly humiliated. "Y—you, you jerk!" Maria exclaimed. "Die!" With those words said the girl rushed off. Lyn didn't miss the tears in the girl's eyes.

Rhys pulled away from her.

"Wh—why did you do that?" Lyn stammered.

Rhys scratched his hair, "Well, it's the only way to show. An innocent girl like her will back away after seeing something like that."

"..."

She gets that, but still... But still, her head felt fuzzy - she still couldn't get over what just happened.

"Rhys...that was my first." She was saving it for her fiance too.

"Oh, uh," Rhys awkwardly looked down. "I'm sorry

I...I'll take responsibility."

Wait what?

"Right, I'll do whatever you want. I can make it up to you."

Make it up to her, so that's what he meant. It sounded a bit misleading when he said it so initially. But, she supposes it's just her overreacting. "For compensation, is it okay if we see each other again?"

Rhys suddenly leaned forward, "You know, you're quite cute. Why are you covering your face?"

Why is that his response to her question? Lyn looked down, "I have my reasons."

"If you come to my place, can I see your face completely?"

"I guess," Lyn mumbled. As long as she isn't outside, it should be fine right? Oh but, she doesn't know how many people he is staying with.

"It's just me, master and the housekeeper. So.."

"Okay, I'll come."

Before Rhys could respond, they found somebody with a deadly aura appear from behind them. "You two kids, where did you get to!"

"Uh master, you see.."

Ralph sighed, "Lyn, I found your guardian. He's waiting for you in the spot before."

Ah, so that's why he was taking a while. Lyn nodded, "Then I'll get going."

Ralph handed her a bag; the smell was wonderful. "Have these pastries like I promised."

"Thank you very much."

He winked, "You can drop by anytime."

Ah, so he overheard. Lyn nodded, she turned to Rhys, who looked annoyed. It was clear that he didn't like getting scolded. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Lyn asked. She wasn't sure if she could leave again tomorrow. But she would try. "If not, um in three days?"

Rhys nodded, "Yeah. I'll see you then."

...

Junlan Church - Y Quarter -

Lyn was still in a daze as she recalled the events from earlier the day. She and Arthur arrived just on time. They received word shortly that master and Abeno were returning. When Lyn asked if they would stay for long, she was told that they are only coming by to rest before heading back out in two days. It's a good thing she gave that estimation; Lyn figured it was something like that.

"You look like you've fallen in love," Arthur said as he entered the room. He placed a tray in front of her. Lyn wasn't in the mood to eat dinner downstairs, so she asked the servants. She didn't think that Arthur would bring her the food.

Lyn turned frantic, "What are you talking about?"

Arthur laughed, "Relax. I saw a young boy there with you, so I thought there was something ..."