Year 4019 Mist Kingdom

Word quickly got around regarding Kazuya's strength; at least word reached the ears of those who knew of her existence. Even those guards who looked down upon him before treated him with respect. They still scorned him, but they no longer looked at him with contempt anymore. Lyn frowned, she didn't like this at all! Since that time she's seldom seen Kazuya around. He no longer met up with her in the usual spot. She had Pupillam investigate, according to her the soldiers keep Kazuya busy in the training grounds.

Kazuya does show up eventually, but she's already gone for morning lessons. They keep missing each other, that's why today she canceled her lessons. Lyn made her way across to the training grounds section in the Northern grounds. She usually avoids this place, but today, Lyn walked across the stone paths and eventually arrived at the courtyard. Sure enough, when she reached her destination, there was Kazuya training with a group of soldiers. The frown on her face deepened.

Lyn called out, "Kazuya!"

her tone contained malice.

"Ah? Hey Lyn, wait a sec--"

"Do you like them more than you like me?" Lyn exclaimed, "I like you a lot, but you spend more time with them."

At that comment Kazuya dropped the blade, the soldier that was charging towards him managed to cut his shoulder. But Kazuya swiftly moved aside and threw the man down in seconds.

For a split few seconds, the courtyard was engulfed in silence - before the soldiers burst into chatter.

"Did you hear that?"

"Wow."

"He got the Princess. Kazuya is awesome!"

Lila looked at the soldiers puzzled. But before she could ask what they meant. She noticed Kazuya walking over. Once he was in front of her, Kazuya wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him, "Have you eaten?"

Kazuya asked softly.

Lyn shook her head, "Ah, not yet."

"Then let's get something to eat in town."

"Ah? But---"

Kazuya gave her a reassuring smile, "It's okay. It's okay."

...….

Central Market

"Yummy! This is delicious," Lyn said happily.

Kazuya laughed, "It's only some barbeque skewers. You've never had them before?"

Lyn shook her head, and paused, "Ah, is it okay that I ate this? Normally I get people to taste my food for me."

"You don't need that, right now you're just Lyn."

Just Lyn, Lyn's gaze softened, "Did you speak with my mother or something? How was I able to leave just like that?" Usually, her mother's magic that covers the place doesn't allow her to leave past the entrance point. Only during the day, she's allowed out in the month.

"Even if I am brave, I'm not suicidal."

Lyn blinked in confusion, and Kazuya continued, "Don't you know how scary your mother is?"

Her mother, well she supposes she's heard the rumors. They've never actually held much of a conversation before so Lyn wouldn't know. Kazuya realizes what he just said and apologized, "Sorry."

Lyn shook her head, "It can't be helped."

Her thoughts broke off when she felt Kazuya's hands on top of hers from across the table, "Ah?"

"Well, you're not alone anymore. I'm with you."

She smiled happily, "That's true."

...

The last person she expected to meet her was Lieutenant Teo. After all, everybody knows unless he's with his family, he's too busy working on other affairs. But sure enough, she spotted his dirt blonde hair from afar. Her face color turned pale, is he with his family? If he were, then she could easily escape this situation. However, sadly she saw no traces of them.

Lyn quickly tried to hide behind Kazuya, but it was too late. The lieutenant walked over with a frown on his face, "Princess Lyn."

"Ssh," Lyn brought a hand to her lips gesturing for him to be quiet.

Teo nodded, "Milady, what brings you here?"

"Um.."

"I did not see any reports regarding you being out today."

Lyn felt the beads of sweat on her face fall, uh how does she explain this? Her thoughts break off when Kazuya returned, he looked back and forth at her and the Lieutenant, but he nodded, "I brought her out, got a problem?"

Gah- Kazuya? That's not how one addresses the Lieutenant. Everybody knows how scary he can get. Teo did not reply right away and examined Kazuya from head to toe, "From the Sound Kingdom?"

"That's right."

"So you're the one, while I apologize for our second Prince foolish behavior. You should know your place," Teo said and glanced over at her.

Lyn noticed people gathering in the square when it was just her and Kazuya nobody bothered them. However, with the Lieutenants appearance, a crowd formed.

"Isn't that Lieutenant Teo?"

"And that kid, the one from the Sound Kingdom?"

This is bad, their attracting too much attention. Wouldn't it be bad if people found out who she was here? To her surprise, though Kazuya suddenly wrapped his cloak around her, and pulled her towards him, "I appreciate the warning, but the Queen already gave the order regarding that. It's not up to you or to anyone else to decide."

"I see you have guts child. Very well, I'll withdraw for now," Teo said, and turned to walk away, "Milady, please do not be late for tonight's ball."

With those words said he walked away, with the Lieutenant gone everybody gradually started to disperse too.

Lyn lifted her head to look at Kazuya, but couldn't see anything because of the cloak, "Let me get us out of here first," she heard him say.

"Okay."

...…

Once they were further away, Kazuya removed the cloak from her. Lyn looked at her surroundings, Kazuya brought her to a quiet place in the corner of the town. For the next few minutes, there was silence until Kazuya slumped his head on her chest, "Kazuya?"

"I dislike nobles," he murmured. For a split second Lyn's face color turned pale until she felt his warm hands on hers, "But your different Lyn, only you."

Lyn felt her cheeks heat up at his words. Now wasn't the time to feel strangely embarrassed but, she could feel her heartbeat increase by the very minute. Why does this person evoke such strange feelings inside her? How unusual.

"Say Kazuya?" Lyn called out after a while.

"Hmmm?"

"I want to visit the Sound Kingdom someday; do you think I'd be able to go?" Lyn said this in a quiet tone, knowing how ridiculous she sounded.

It was a stupid wish of course. Even if Mother does reveal her identity, she won't be able to leave the Mist Kingdom. Even if she leaves the isolated lifestyle behind, she will remain shackled to one place. With an identity reveal, the following events will happen. The introduction to society, catching up on political affairs and events that she missed out on. She wouldn't have the time.

Kazuya looked up, and then closed the distance between their faces, "Um?"

"You are different."

Eh? Different? From other nobles? Is it because of her strange upbringing? "If you want to go, I'll take you."

"Really?"

Kazuya nodded, "Maybe around next month? I have to head back for a while anyway and didn't want to leave you behind."

Her eyes sparkled at his words; she can leave? Really? It sounded too good to be true, "But how about Mother?" Lyn asked, the excitement dropping from her face. That's right, even if Kazuya somehow convinced her brother. There's no way Mother would agree.

"I've already asked, so don't worry."

Kazuya asked already? Prior to this conversation? Did he know that she wanted to go to his Kingdom? Suspicion appeared on her face, but she quickly shook it off so he wouldn't notice.

'That man is the enemy, please remember that Princess.'

She knows that General Adrien, she does understand. However, Lyn didn't want to think about that now. This person is important to her, so very important. Lyn clung to his arm, "Can we take a stroll here? It's pretty."

Kazuya smiled. The dark expression on his face vanished, "Yeah, but I think you're prettier."