Chapter 363 - Why don't you smile?

Brother Zepher's question surprised her. Does it hurt? It was the first time somebody had asked her this question. Since she got this mark, all anybody has said about this is well...that it's cursed. Nobody has asked her whether she feels any physical pain from it. Not even Rhys when he was examining her. Lyn's gaze softened at his concerned words, "I'm a big girl now brother, so if it's painful I can bear with the pain."

She was intentionally evading the question. The truth was it did hurt. A lot, at night anyway. Normally she doesn't notice it and would continue her day like normal. But, during night it would act up. However, if brother were to find out about that then -- her thoughts broke of when he lifted her of the ground. "Brother?"

Zepher said nothing and they made their way down the hall. The servants from earlier were still around, and once they saw them approach. The whispers started again. Her sweat fell, uh... What is this? Didn't brother promise her not to make things too difficult? When Lyn complained to him that his attention towards her was causing problems. He promised that he would tone it down in front of the servants. Is this toning down for him?

After a short while they arrived in front of his room. Does brother want to rest? He has a bad habit of making her accompany him whenever he takes a nap. Zepher gently laid her down on the bed and then climbed on top of her. "What are you doing?"

"I have to commend you Lyn, you didn't leave me and return with that man."

Lyn recalled what happened with Kazuya not too long ago and bit her lip. So he's low key sulking about what happened back then? Lyn thought he didn't notice anything, but how can that be? Her brother is not somebody you can deceieve. Did he think she would leave with Kazuya? He knew about Allen's plan, so why did he let her go? As these questions ran through her mind, she felt his hands take a strand of her hair.

He gently kissed it, "Even if you have someone.."

"I returned to your side, isn't that good enough?"

"It is, I'm happy."

"You don't look happy," Lyn mumbled. She noticed this at the start. But, since they met again. Lyn has not seen a sincere smile on his face. Even from the first day, his smile was fake. She spent so long by Allen's side, so Lyn could differentiate between a fake smile and a real smile. According to Himuro though, brother Zepher always acts this way. "Why don't you smile? My brother..."

Zepher laughs, "Your still calling me that, your so loyal even though you know were not related." He slumped on the bed beside her, and Lyn turned to face him.

"I just want to know the truth Zepher."

"The truth?"

"Are your feelings real?"

"What a selfish woman indeed. But, your right to doubt me. Even then, yes my feelings are real. This was one of the main reasons why Andrew kept me away from you. Because he noticed long before I did."

"Brother, what do you want me to become?"

"My wife."

Lyn bit her lip, "And if I don't?"

"I understand the logic that no matter how hard somebody tries. Failure is inveitable," he gently caressed her cheeks and Lyn noticed something. She felt her vision turn blury. Huh? How come?

Lyn glanced down and noticed that her mark was glowing brightly. How strange, it was normal just a few moments ago. Normal... "Brother, what did you do?" A few minutes ago when he touched her neck, she did feel a tingling sensation. But Lyn didn't think much of it.

"The only way to relieve your pain is to activate the mark. You'll be going back and forth from being unconscious and your body will be weak. However, you can rest assured I will take care of you."

She managed to nod her head and extended her hand out. Zepher smiled and grabbed hold of it, "Your like a little child at times."

"I'm a grown up."

"Indeed, you are physically. But you really do have your childish moments. Lyn, I want you to understand something. I'm not your brother, and if destiny played out correctly. I would have been your fiance instead of young Allen."

Huh? "Because your a Prince from the Sun Kingdom?"

Lyn heard about how their family had been desperately trying to establish a connection with them. So, it may have ended up like her brother said...

"But that didn't happen."

"Such a cruel fate, it certainly loves playing games on me."

His tone, why does he sound so sad? It's difficult for her, watching him like this. Even if she can't return those feelings of love. She does want to remain by his side. But, "Why does it feel like you've already given up on everything?"

" ..."

"I, will remain by your side. It may have taken me a long time. But I came back to you, willingly."

A bitter smile appeared on Zepher's face and he sat up. He reached out for the drawer and pulled something out. It looked like a small glass artifact. At first glance it didn't seem special but since it was made out of glass. Lyn immediately knew what it was.

"You only came back to me, because you wanted to retrieve this for him?"

Ah...

Lyn looked down, "You already knew."

"Yes, I figured I'd investigate once you told me you had a boyfriend. So, the ambassador from the Sound Kingdom and you have that kind of relationship. I'll admit I was surprised Lyn, I didn't think Queen Orthez or Andrew would allow such a thing."

"That's, I'm sorry but," Lyn averted her gaze. "That's important to him, so I wanted to return it."

Kazuya didn't tell her the exact purpose of the item. However, Lyn could guess, from his behaviour. Zepher said nothing and despite her blurred vision she could see his cold gaze. Lyn felt truly helpless, even though the item was right in front of her. She could do nothing in her current state. Her eyelids felt incredibly heavy, even if she wanted to. Lyn knew she couldn't stay awake any longer.

....

When Lyn woke up again, the bright rays of light entered the room. Morning...she must have slept for the entire day.

Her body feels a lot lighter now and ...her head doesn't hurt so much. She doesn't feel particularly hot anymore either, this cold is probably due to the fact that its minus degrees. For her to recover like this, doesn't mean that it was nothing serious. It's because the person who took care of her really did do a good job.

Lyn noted that her brother was no longer on the bed with her. Frowning, she got up and made her way over to the other room.

Sure enough, she spotted her brother fast asleep on the couch. Lyn blinks when she saw the books in his hands , ' Food for a person a fever. ' Several others on the ground, ' Top tips in getting better. ' and ' The encyclopedia of sickness. ' and similar sounding titles.

He really must have worked hard for her sake. This must be the first time she's seen his sleeping face. Even though they are childhood friends, she's never once seen I before. Though they slept in the same room plenty of times before. She's always fallen asleep before him and he's always awake before her.

Zepher isn't the type of person to let his guard down when he's seeping in the same room with another person; whether they are friends, family or even a lover. Him sleeping later than the other person is always planned and him waking up before the other person is too. This must be the first time that he's openly let his guard down in front of her. Lyn pokes his cheeks. He's sorta ....cute like this.

He's very different than Kazuya. Whenever she got a glimpse of Kazuya's sleeping face, her heart would speed up considerably. Ah, it must be that. It's because of love. Its because she loves Kazuya. Of course it would be different.

Still, even back then it was hard to tell what her feelings were for brother Zepher.

But even then, Lyn did not see him as a man then. Even though his feelings for her were as clear as day. The kiss they shared then was one she never told anybody else about. But because she started acting strange about it.

Her thoughts broke off when she hears a familiar sound. It was her messenger crystal.

Good morning..

Can I sneak you away?

I made great date plans.

Lyn blinked for a few minutes before her lips curved into a smile. 'Such a silly person.' Looking back at her exhausted brother, Lyn felt bad. But she knew this would be the only chance for her to meet with Kazuya. She is sorry about this brother. However, after yesterdays conversation she wanted some space from him. Lyn quickly left the room and headed towards her own room. The bright rays of light covered the entire cooridoor. The servants she passed by were thankfully different than the ones she passed yesterday.

It would be awkward for her to explain. Though it isn't the first time she slept over at brother's chambers. This entire thing still felt weird to her. Lyn increased her footsteps, she really wants to meet with Kazuya as soon as possible.

*UNEDITED*