Year 4014 Mist Kingdom - A week later -
Kazuya's eyes shot open, and he rose from his bed . His whole face pale and drenched in sweat, as vivid and yet clear images of the past appeared in his head . He panted heavily as he recalled the sight of his dead siblings, his dead Mother - and that man . The man who caused it all .
For a second, Kazuya doesn't recognize where he is until he saw something from the corner of his eye . It was the bracelet Lyn made for him . That's right he's in the Mist Kingdom, he isn't in the Sound Kingdom . He isn't in that place . Kazuya sighed and placed a hand on his forehead . Feeling the wet patch, he tossed his blanket and picked up a towel from the side and wiped his face .
Maybe he should get changed too . He probably sweated a lot . Kazuya walked over to his drawers and saw the set of clothes Lyn got him .
'Um, it's just a small present . '
A small present, this many clothing? Because he wanted to travel light, he didn't think to bring many clothes with him . On his way here, he saw the state of some of the villages and ended up giving what little possession he brought away . Then again, it's not like he had many 'possessions' to begin with . After getting dressed, he exited his room and walked out onto the ledge .
A full moon hung on the sky, glowing brightly and surrounded by a sea of stars . Lyn didn't have to get him clothes or anything for that matter . It's not like she has that much money to spend . Kazuya knew from the amounts of times he went to the market with her, how limited her pocket money is . Maybe they do that to restrict her from leaving too much . She only ever has money for one or two outings . She never has a lot for a few days let alone a week or so .
While he doesn't have many possessions, Kazuya has a lot of money .
No, he didn't get them from the Sound Kingdom elders - but instead he earned most of it from the side jobs he does . Since he isn't the type of person who spent a lot of money, he has a lot saved up .
He wondered if Lyn is already asleep .
A whole week had passed since he proposed this fake relationship thing . At first, it was awkward for both of them . They knew they couldn't just act like they were before . They had to make the act look real; otherwise, the guy from the Stone Kingdom wouldn't believe it . Just like he thought, that guy wanted to ensure the relationship is real and has been hovering around like a fly . The reason they got past the awkwardness, it was because of something Rhys, and the girl's aide said .
'Don't you two already act like a couple, anyway?'
Do they?
Kazuya never realized . But after they said those words, he saw it . So the two of them returned to normal, and that made John back away even more . It's hard to believe that guy would give up with just that alone though . He has to keep this up until that man leaves, and until Lyn's fiance gets a grip . Honestly, Kazuya didn't think much of the man named Allen . He's your typical average, and the boring elite who sticks to the traditions wears a fake smile . Despite this, Kazuya knew how much Allen cared about Lyn . That guy hides it very well, but he isn't stupid .
It's an engagement with feelings of love . Kazuya never asked Lyn, but he wondered how the girl felt towards her fiance . That time he watched them, there seemed to be a comfortable atmosphere . From the words exchanged Kazuya knew that nothing happened between them . That it was only recently that there was development .
A deep voice interrupted his thoughts, "Getting nightmares again, huh?"
Kazuya looked at the direction of the voice and found Rhys . Rhys is a noble in the Sound Kingdom, the third Son of his family and yet treated as the heir . The two of them held a strange bond and friendship . Though they don't show it, the two of them are quite close . Well, men usually don't openly display their harmony with each other .
"It's been happening a lot recently . "
He has nightmares, nightmares of the past . So vivid and yet so evident in his mind . Though there are gaps in his memory, unlike Lyn he isn't missing that much . The first time he had these nightmares, Rhys was with him . Thank god he wasn't alone, Kazuya still remembered how bad he felt, the panic attack that followed after the nightmare . The feeling of not being able to breathe .
In the past these nightmares haunted him like the plague; in the present, they are the reason for his self-loathing . If only he didn't hide his ability from his family . If only he used his power, then that incidence would not
"You have to get over it . Well, I guess that's putting it too bluntly . By getting over it I mean you have to learn to overcome it — your strong Kazuya, truly strong . But if people found out you had this weakness . What do you think will happen to you if you don't?" Rhys asked .
Despite how bluntly he said it, Kazuya understood how serious Rhys was . Rhys makes a point there . As the 'strongest person' in the Sound Kingdom, Kazuya already made a lot of enemies there let alone here in the Mist Kingdom . While the hate he receives here is more on a general scale rather than personal, he is still hated . It's still a group of people with a grudge that could potentially endanger his life .
Before Kazuya could say anymore, he hears knocking . He turned back to the room and noticed the sound came from the other door . Kazuya frowned, it's late . Who could it be?
"It's your girlfriend, not an enemy . "
Huh? Kazuya was about to retort back at Rhys when he hears a soft voice at the door .
"Kazuya?"
Kazuya blinked, it really is her . He didn't bother with Rhys anymore and made his way over to the door .
When he opened it, there stood Lyn with a pillow under her arm .
"Lyn," Kazuya said surprised .
Lyn looked shyly down, "Um, I'm sorry for disturbing you . I was thinking could I sleep together with you?"
Kazuya froze in shock for a moment, before he ran his hand through his hair . Right, this girl is still naive about that aspect . Or rather she probably realizes by now that he won't do anything . For her, sleeping beside somebody probably acts as a form of comfort and safety .
Kazuya ushered her inside and closed the door .
"Um?"
"Lay down, let me get some extra blankets . "
Lyn beamed happily, "Okay . "
He scanned the area where Rhys sat moments ago and noticed that he had left . A wise move he supposes . Kazuya fetched some extra blankets and frowned . He placed his hand on top of them and used his powers to get rid of the crease markings, tatters until it looked presentable . He brought it to his face; the smell seems okay .
A deep sigh passed his lips once he realized what he was doing . Quit acting like an idiot . Kazuya returned to the girl on the bed .
She looked beautiful in her night gear . The knowledge that she wore the clothes she gave him made his lips curve to a smile . The set of night gear used pale colors not bright ones, yet they were not dull or boring like the clothes she used to wear . Kazuya made his way over and joined her on the bed .
"Ah, Kazuya!"
"Mmm, you're so chirper . Were you really sleeping?"
"Ah, um . . " Lyn looked away .
Kazuya frowned, she wasn't sleeping? But it's 2:00 am . Maybe she was training again? Since Rhys trained her . Lyn has been working very hard .
He gently kissed her forehead, eyelids, and nose .
"Kazuya? Why do you keep doing that?"
"Nothing . "
Lyn looked confused but then cheerfully snuggled up to him, "Ah it's warm . "
"Were you cold?"
The girl in his arms nodded, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively, "Kazuya, you weren't sleeping?"
"I just woke up . I was talking to Rhys for a bit . "
At that comment, he watched as the girl turned red and he frowned, "What did he do now?"
"Kazuya, can you tell Rhys to respect my personal space? I don't like it when he gets too close, and I've already brought out my knife so many times . But he still does it . "
Now that she mentioned it, Kazuya realized his friend had more cuts on his face than usual . He burst into laughter .
"Kazuya?"
Kazuya smiled, "Good girl Lyn, your learning . "
Her eyes light up as she raised her hands and did a victory pose . She's cute . Honestly, this fake relationship thing isn't as bad as Kazuya thought . Though his mission was to seduce her, Kazuya knew that he could no longer do it . Rather than seduce, he wants to win Lyn over to their side in a genuine manner not fake . He knew with the present situation; he wouldn't be able to harm her even if he wanted to .
"The month is coming to an end . "
"Ah-huh, and Allen is officially supposed to come tomorrow . Eldest Brother said Mother is making the official banquet arrangements . "
"Are you going?"
Lyn shook her head, "No . But I do have to make a few appearances, covering my face with a veil . "
Kazuya didn't like the sound of that; it felt too risky . But Lyn is still formally Prince Allen's fiance . Even with her hidden existence, she has to make a few appearances . He wonders how they explain her identity to the public though .
"Can I come?"
"You'll go?" Lyn seemed very happy, "Un, please do . I think I'll be able to do well in my performance . "
"Performance?"
"I have to play the koto and sing; it's a strange Mist Kingdom tradition for the upcoming festival . "
Festival, now that she mentioned it . An event like that is coming up . But this time around there are no orders from the people back home . It seemed like he can enjoy himself .
"When you get the chance, sneak out . "
The thought pleased her since she hugged him even more . To other people, this may be strange, fake relationship and their ages . Honestly, he's the rational one between the two and should talk to her about this . However, it's not like them being like this harms anybody .
Lyn felt safe with him .
And he felt safe with her .
That's all that matters .
Chapter end
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