Osamu bit his lip and he felt his body shake as he kept his head low. "It wasn't me. I do not understand how that happened…"
"As I told you when you first came here, you are too kind. It is most likely the work of somebody close to you, somebody you trust."
The work of somebody close to him? Several faces appeared in his head but unfortunately he could not pinpoint which one it is. This is too dangerous, at this rate Orthez and the others will be implicated. Right now they believe he is the one who plotted everything but eventually they will drag her into this. He cannot allow that to happen.
"Young osamu, you have to stay strong for your family. I know it has been hard on you. But after your brothers' treason the fact that they allowed you to marry Orthez was already a blessing."
Indeed originally it was his first brother engaged to Orthez but he caused quite the scandal. He treated her badly too and during a party they met. Even now he could clearly remember what Orthez said to him.
Let me marry you instead. You seem more capable.
"I will truly do anything for her. Andrew is more than capable of handling himself. But Lyn has experienced much pain and grief since her birth. I have not done anything for that child yet so while she remains here-"
"Then I will take care of her!" A young voice said.
Osamu looked up and saw a young man with long dark hair and piercing midnight blue eyes. This?
"Young master Rhys dont just barge in, where are your manners?"
"But gramps your talking about that fairy like girl right? I wanted to ask you about her."
Fairy like girl? Is that what she looks like to him? Ever since Lyn was born Osamu has not heard one good thing about her. Lyn is a very pretty child but the others who saw her said she must have used her magic to enhance her appearance, they said all sorts of cruel things. This is the young man who is compatible with dark magic? Osamu pictured somebody scary but there is an honest look in his eyes right now.
"Shut up brat, even if youve taken a fancy you have to remain respectful."
"Hey I complimented her! That is a compliment!"
Osamu burst into laughter. Ever since the false accusation came out he felt incredibly tense, scared and frightened. But now all those worries seem to have vanished for a moment.
"Her name is Lyn and she is my precious daughter." Osamu kneeled down. "Please look after her for me."
......
When Osamu went to search for her, he found her looking at the flowers in the garden outside her room with bright eyes. The maids had given her a lovely blue coloured dress.
"Father!"
The girl happily ran to his arms. "You know this garden area they said it is for me and nobody else has used it for awhile so I can play here as much as I want."
"Thats good, you like flowers right?"
Lyn nodded.
Such a cheerful child. Despite being even busier the last five years he always makes some time to spend with her even if it is only a little while. Meanwhile Orthez seemed at a loss what to do with the girl. His wife has focused more on trying to dismiss the negative rumors so she has not spent time with Lyn at all. He needs to fix that. Just in case something happens to him who will this girl rely on?
"Father, um how long are we staying here?"
He did not tell her many details and simply said they were going on a trip. Despite being woken in the middle of night and not leaving through the main gate she has not said a thing.
"I will stay for a few days but you will remain here for a few months."
Her expression dropped and tears appeared in her eyes. "No!!"
"Lyn...I need to return, your mother will stress out too much if I am not there."
He knew that even now Orthez is overworking herself. Ever since Lyns birth she has been working on something. It must be some kind of magic to help Lyn. With his absence now she is doing his work too. He cannot go for long.
"Mother?"
"Yes I do not want her to get sick again."
Lyn nodded slowly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I will be lonely father."
His gaze softened. This child must take after him, such kindness is rare. Orthez has barely said anything to Lyn since her birth and yet she treats her like her real mother.
"I shall send letters and also." Osamu recalled that young man. "There is somebody here close to your age, the young fifth Prince. I am sure you two will get along. He said he would drop by and introduce himself later on."
"The fifth prince?" Lyn repeated.
"Yes, I am sure you will get along."
..
A few days later
He was having a meal in the garden discussing things with the elder when Lyn rushed over and tackled him into a hug. "Father, father Rhys keeps bullying me."
"Ha? I did no such thing!"
"L--liar you did something weird."
Something weird? A dark aura wrapped around him and Rhys sighed. "I just gave her a flower and called her pretty, why is she overreacting so much? I saved her when she almost fell into the lake too…"
Huh? Osamus' eyes widened when he heard those words. Could it be ...that somebody is targeting Lyn here?
Rhys sensed his tone and shook his head. "No she almost fell in when she was running from me. Sir Osamu, your daughter is too clumsy, she always trips over."
"Wahh Rhys you said you won't tell anyone."
"It's weird but you don't seem to be used to walking."
Of course she isn't, he had no choice but to keep her in that place. She doesn't use her feet to walk but her magic to move around. It seems like this young boy is smarter than he thought. Normal people wouldn't figure that out easily. After all Lyn uses high level magic.
It seems the old man is correct, if it is this child then Lyn will surely be okay. If it is him then there is a chance for Lyn to live freely. Even if she cannot escape her blood stained destiny at the very least she will not be alone.