Chapter 322 - Mystery of Junlan Church P2

"I think the reason why teacher asked you not to meet with me was because he knew what would happen. Other than keeping me in the church, he would often give me other warnings," Lyn paused. "But I don't understand if he knew why isn't he getting involved now?"

"Don't you remember what their stance is, Lyn?"

"Stance?" she trailed off. "Neutral?"

"Right, no matter what happens, their stance will be neutral. The people of the church don't know those people. But since it is a conflict between two sides, they will not get involved."

So that's why even during the situation with Arthur.. Lyn wouldn't be surprised if they led brother to Arthur's doors after her brother learned where he was hiding. Lyn glanced down at the reports and sighed. "So, this is our fault, isn't it?"

"You can't blame yourself for this. Why would you stop yourself from meeting somebody just because another person tells you to."

"I suppose so."

"Still, I do understand your concern. If they knew, they could have indirectly helped. Even offering a helping hand to both sides to make it neutral would have helped."

But, that is not that persons style. If Arthur wasn't somebody the teacher knew, then Lyn knew he would have left Arthur out there to die.

...

The next time Lyn woke up, Rhys wasn't in the room, so she decided to look for him. She found him in his study. Lyn casually strolled in and sat down on his desk, "If you think about it, that means the Knights who go out on patrol are constantly exposed to the insults of the people right now..."

"Yeah."

"It's tough for them," she trailed off and sighed. It's no wonder Pupillam had that sort of expression the last time they met each other.

"Mmm."

"What has been occupying your time so much that you can't even spare comforting words?"

"Studying."

"Oh, right, I heard you study medicine... "Lyn laughed, "That doesn't suit your image at all."

"You really don't hold back with your insults, do you?"

"Is there any need for me to do so?"

They both knew she was right, of course. Rhys had her figured out from the very beginning. While she did try to feign ignorance for a bit, eventually, that mask broke.

"One of the many things I've learned about you is that your rather blunt and straightforward. You say whatever you're thinking without consideration of the other person's feelings. It's not as though your insensitive, it's because you don't understand." Rhys had a troubled look on his face, but Lyn smiled.

"Mmm, I see. So that's what you're thinking. For someone who's supposed to be studying a lot, your spacing out quite a bit."

Sure enough, Rhys, who a few minutes ago was writing intensely, had stopped. "I know I told you to take care of your body more and recuperate. But, don't you still have Princess duties?"

"No...it's just I had some spare time..."

Lyn suddenly felt nervous that he caught her out so soon. "... It's just...I thought that if anything were to happen... I'd be here...."

As she said those words, his eyes went wide, recalling what happened at that time.

When Rhys suddenly leaned forward, Lyn's back hit the wall. Since she was sat down on his desk, this position was even more embarrassing for her than usual.

"What are you doing? There is a certain degree of space that must be permitted between males and females."

Rhys chuckled, "You care about that now?"

"Anybody would be with this contact!" Lyn exclaimed. Rhys lips grazed against her ear, and she shuddered. "Honestly quit it! You know I get angry whenever you do this. Besides, don't make it sound like you expected something. Besides...what I feel towards you is more like feelings of respect."

This was a half-lie, while Lyn respected him as a person. Her feelings towards her him were still rather peculiar because Lyn couldn't define it. She came up with a temporary solution to stop his harassment.

At that, he raises his eyebrows, "Huh, respect?"

"Yes," Lyn recalled what happened not too long ago. "That day, when I chased after you in the rain and saw you like that. I started to respect you."

A shadow crossed Rhys face as she said those words, and Lyn immediately added. "I thought you were quite cool then. I've never seen that side of you, and while learning about your pain, upset me. It made me think that you're also human."

That was the day she learned more about him.

Rhys suddenly drew back, and Lyn panicked. Should she not have brought up that subject again? She knew that the topic was like a ticking time bomb for him. But even then, Lyn thought this was the perfect opportunity to do so.

"I'll need your help," Rhys suddenly spoke up.

Her eyes brightened, "Okay!"

...

Maybe she was a bit too bold saying those words.

Indeed, thinking it through now, it was straightforward of her. However, Lyn did not regret saying it. Besides, she has been doing nothing but bold things ever since she became involved with him.

'I believe the strongest of men are the ones who show their emotions.'

When she said those words, Lyn noticed a look in his eyes that she hadn't seen before, and it made her want to comfort him somehow. Her interest in him didn't only recently.

Ever since they met again, Lyn expressed interest in Rhys. There was something about him; after all, that differed from the rest of his team members. Though they all excluded the same aura, something about his just seemed to pull her in.

As for the people who knew about this unusual attraction. Well, not many. Pupillam and the General. Telling Gabrielle would be a no because she would inform her brother.

Those two would misunderstand. It isn't a feeling of 'love,' though most people think it is. It was something different, and Lyn even now didn't know how to describe it properly. A feeling of respect, for now, perhaps she can pass it off as that. After all, she doesn't know exactly how to describe it.

So right now, this present situation is enough for her.

"Lyn," Rhys called out.

"Ah, yes?"

"Bring me the thick books from the 1st and fifth file. Grab anything else with a similar title too."

After she received her instructions, the black-haired girl made her way over in the direction he was pointing too. As she made her way over, though, Lyn does a quick scan of the room. Even so, this place really is messy. It's covered in so many books, to the point that it blocks the windows off. There's barely any space to move around, too, aside from the entranceway to his desk. It covers the walls in sheets of papers with writing all over them. He really must be working hard.

'If it's for the sake of the one you love.

It's easier to accomplish your task than saying it's for everyone else.'

Even though she said those things before, Lyn knew she couldn't apply it for herself. Even though she wants to be with Kazuya, she still can't make the necessary sacrifice. What was it her teacher in the church used to say?