Chapter 369 - Is this your answer?

Lyn knew they wouldn't get any concrete information on the first day. That's why she told the two to find an inn, so they could think of their next plans. However, Kazuya didn't appear well, so Lyn ended their little meeting. She glanced over at the man who collapsed onto the bed the moment they entered the room. 'He didn't get changed or took a bath…' The latter could wait, but his clothes. They were out in the snow earlier.

After much debate, Lyn reached out to help him remove his clothes. At the sight of his muscular chest, her cheeks reddened, but she shook her head. No use getting embarrassed about it. Besides, it's nothing she hasn't already seen before. Regardless it took a while for her to help him change his shirt.

When Lyn finished, she was immediately pulled into Kazuya's arms. "Lyn, go to sleep now."

"Y--you were awake?" Lyn is startled when he suddenly spoke.

"Just now."

'Just now?' What kind of coincidence is that? A deep sigh escaped her lips at his simple reply, well she supposes it really is just like him. But even then, she gently caressed his cheeks with her hands. "Kazuya, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"If you had to choose between yourself and the safety of others, what would you choose?"

"It depends on who those others are. If they are people important to me, then I'd sacrifice myself."

....

Inn - 6:00am -

". . . He's here." Lyn mumbled. She sensed him the moment he entered the grounds. By he, she meant Father. Right now, she didn't want to speak with him... If her theory is correct, then the one who issued that order back then was her father.

Kazuya emerged through the bedroom door away and opened the shawl of the bed, "Lyn, how about showing yourself at the very least?"

"No." She wants to see and speak with her brother. But she has nothing else left to say to the other two. "Rather than that, let's talk. Preparations are almost complete, aren't they?" Although it was a fact that only came to her attention last night, and by accident too. For once, her bad waking up habits became useful, since she saw the messages on the crystal.

Kazuya nodded casually, causing her to frown. "And how is it that you can behave so normally?"

She was on the verge of glaring only to find his soft gaze on hers. Lyn extended her hand out, and he took it, as she pulled him back onto the bed with her. Immediately snuggling up to him.

"Hey, Lyn, your family are here."

"Leave them for a bit. Rhys is there to distract them, isn't he?" She couldn't mistake the loud voice that woke her up. Kazuya nodded and pulled her closer, "I didn't like it. I woke up without you beside me and was afraid."

Although it was a brief fear, it sent shivers down her spine. Lyn no longer wanted to wake up without Kazuya by her side. For a long time, she has thought this way, but now that view has been reinforced further. For her, Kazuya is the most important person in her life. She doesn't want to lose him anymore.

But, she recalled the promise she made with her brother. Even if she wants to stay by Kazuya's side, she can't be stubborn. Lyn knew she had to return to his side.

"Sorry. I had to take a call." Kazuya looked at her apologetically.

From a woman, a woman who tried to sleep with him. She doesn't know who that person is, and she's not going to try and find out either. If it was in the past, she would have certainly done so. But the two of them are dating.

Instead of voicing out her fear, she goes ahead and confesses. "I love you, Kazuya."

He seemed surprised at her sudden declaration. Indeed there's nothing particularly romantic about this moment, and she's the one who always spoke about that stuff. But his gaze remained kind, "You're so cute in the morning, do you want to be spoiled?" Kazuya said, kissing her forehead gently.

"If you mean kissing me a lot, then…"

A chuckle escapes Kazuya's lips, "Well, there's plenty other ways to spoil you. But you've always liked kissing, huh, Lyn?"

"Right now, I only want to cuddle," she wants to cuddle and feel his warmth. She wants to feel that he is right here beside her.

"Hmm, I see," Kazuya smiled warmly at her. Why does this person smile so warmly at her despite all the pain and suffering she makes him go through?

"If I turned myself in Kazuya, would you get angry at me?"

At that comment, the smile vanished from Kazuya's face. The air quickly turned heavy. "When you told us to stop investigating yesterday, I thought something was wrong. You, is this the answer you came up with?"

"Yes."

Kazuya's arms encircled around her. "You're such a foolish girl. Do you really think you can act as the villain? Remember, no concrete evidence points it to you yet."

"But I can make one. This way, the people unease can vanish. My sister will stop her horrendous actions since I will be locked up."

She thought long and hard about it. The only reason why her sister is acting up is because of her. If she were to be locked up, then sister would stop wouldn't she? "Kazuya, it will be okay. It won't be any different to back then."

It won't be any different to her childhood. Before her father and brother discovered the servant's mistreatment towards her. In fact, jail may be better in contrast.

Kazuya shook his head, "Lyn, even if you're locked up. It won't stop."

"How do you know?"

"Because Rhys found out earlier. Your sister has hired a group of people to beat you up in the cells. In that place, you'll only get tortured. Do you still want to risk it, Lyn?"

Beat up and tortured — even the cells. Lyn didn't know whether she wanted to laugh or cry. Her sister, her own flesh and blood would really do anything. Initially, she had no intention to fight for the throne at all. Lyn secretly wanted her sister to get it. Her strong and beautiful sister. However, her sister doesn't even want to let her go.