Chapter 23: Mask

People often express their true feelings when they hide behind some kind of mask or due to feeling anonymity - where they hide their very selves behind a disguise. They hide behind their mask, and it makes them feel like they are a completely different person; separating themselves from the consequences caused by their other self.

Lyn looked over at Rhys who was running ahead of her; earlier she didn't expect that. He looked at her so seriously after she showed him her powers. Though she intended to show him everything like he asked her, for some reason he stopped her halfway. She doesn't understand this person at all. From what she saw earlier it's clear that he's the type who fools around a lot.

She may not be familiar with those things, but Lyn heard some stuff from the guards and Pupillam. The latter warned her not to get involved with 'players.' Lyn was too busy thinking things through in her head, that she didn't notice that at some point she stopped walking. Rhys followed and inched closer to her.

Before she knew it, once again Rhys lips were on hers, it came as sudden as the rest did.

This was the fourth time this man stole a kiss from her. The first - she understood he was trying to get rid of his friends. The second to prove a point to Kazuya. The third because of his anger - this fourth one? Lyn didn't know where it came from at all. Lyn didn't hesitate at all as she drew out a small concealed blade from the pocket of the skirt area of the dress she wore.

Rhys looked at her amused, "Will you hurt m--" she cuts him off when Lyn charged towards him. Rhys seemed surprised to see the blade, and his reaction to stop her was slow. Lyn managed to cut his cheek with the small knife. After a minute Rhys snapped out of it and blocked her attack.

Lyn, however, remained calm, as she asked him, "Why?"

"You had a serious look on your face; I wanted to get rid of it."

For that reason? Lyn frowned, "Of course I'm serious. Kazuya is in danger," though the reason just now was because of Rhys.

"Kazuya, in danger huh."

What's with that tone?

"I think there's no need to rush. I mean this is Kazuya," Rhys trailed off sensing her confusion, "Kazuya is the strongest person in the Sound Kingdom."

"Eh?" Lyn said surprised.

Rhys nodded, "Yeah, nobody in the Sound Kingdom can match his strength. Since he was younger people called him a genius, whether it's his powers or intelligence. Kazuya is the Sound Kingdom's trumph card."

Yet they sent him out here? Lyn frowned, it seemed wrong to her. Normally one would safeguard somebody with Kazuya's strength until they reach the adult age of eighteen, where people can no longer manipulate him. But the Sound Kingdom people sent Kazuya here, no matter how much she thought about it. Lyn found it unusual; however, she knew Rhys was only explaining it as a passing thing. He might get mad at her if she asked him.

Lyn's thoughts broke off when a woman crashed into her, "I'm--- I'm sorry-" the woman paused, "...You Princess Lyn."

Ah?

Lyn immediately recognized the woman who got off her; it was the same woman who was clinging on to Rhys earlier. Unlike her earlier appearance, the woman's hair was messy, and her clothes tattered. Fresh wounds on her shoulder, Lyn pulled out her handkerchief, "Your bleeding."

Esta looked away, and moved her hand away, "Don't be so kind to me. I'm your enemy."

"Oh..."

At that comment, Rhys grabbed the woman's wrist and dragged her up; the look in his eyes was dangerous. She felt the temperature in the room drop.

"I knew you guys were suspicious. Why do you think I didn't report you? I wanted to see what you would do. But huh, I didn't think you guys were stupid enough to do something like this.."

"R--h--ys-- forgive me. I was only following orders," Esta's shoulders shook, and her words came out as stuttering.

The menacing look was enough to send anyone shaking. Ordinary people would stay away from such a guy. However Lyn reached over and tapped Rhys hand, "It's okay, the fact that she's telling you this now means deep down there's something good about her."

Indeed Esta could have easily lied her way out of this. But the first words she said was asking for Rhys to forgive her. She must harbor feelings for Rhys. Lyn turned to the man who had placed her hand on top of hers, eh?

"Geez, your making everything difficult for me."

Lyn looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face. What does he mean? Rhys let's go of her hand before she could say a word, and turned to Esta. He still wore that frown on his face, but he seemed more relaxed in contrast to before.

"Where's Kazuya?"

"Outside," Esta stammered.

"In this area?"

Lyn's eyes go wide, and she immediately went towards the window. She opened it and indeed confirmed Esta's words. Not too far from where they were, Kazuya was fighting bellow.

.....

They found Kazuya easily, alongside the man named Chris, the sub leader who Esta was with earlier. Currently he lay on the side beside the bushes. But just like Esta, he wasn't in the condition to fight. Kazuya must have escaped. So why hadn't Kazuya returned to them yet? Lyn felt there was something wrong. Rhys, however, was just glad to see him. Kazuya stood alone in the vast gardens outback since it was night a cool breeze spread through the air indicating it was close to winter.

Lyn who wore light clothes brought her hands to cover herself but stopped as she stared at Kazuya. She noticed it; he hasn't deactivated his powers yet.

"Kazuya, come on. Let's go back now. Hopefully, Lyn's family didn't notice."

She stepped forward and blocked Rhys from taking another step forward. Lyn closed her eyes, and a natural light surrounded her, and soon two familiar blades appeared in her hands.

Rhys looked at her surprised.

"Lyn? What are y---"

"Kazuya doesn't seem normal," Lyn interjected. She noticed it when they were still far away and when she opened the window. But the aura around Kazuya seemed different.

Rhys glanced over at Kazuya, and his expression grew grim, "Kazuya, to escape did you perhaps use..."

"..."

"Damn idiot, the elder is going to kill you."

Lyn didn't know what they were talking about, but as she glanced at the present Kazuya who was surrounded by black energy. An image of the fourteen-year-old her appeared in her memory. Is it the same power as her? The colors dancing around Kazuya now are not his usual bright ones; they were dull and gave her a feeling of being oppressed. Kazuya's normally bright eyes covered in darkness.

She immediately understood what happened here; they must have hit him repeatedly to provoke him to use his powers. Even in Kazuya's present state, Lyn could make out the cuts and bruise marks on his face. How awful, how long did he withstand it? She should have noticed sooner.

Maybe she should have told Rhys, he almost saw right through to her. But how on earth could Lyn bring it up?

--------

Earlier

Lyn brought it up because she didn't want him to twist her thoughts. Big brother has a way to do that. Lyn only mentioned that he was hiding a power greater then what anyone had seen before while they waited for the servants to finish setting up the rest of the table.

"Keep your distance from him."

"Brother," Lyn paused, "I don't think I can..."

Andrew shook his head and sighed, "Do you understand? You must do your job well, little sister."

------

The 'job' her brother assigned to her regarding Kazuya. Yes, even before she met him, she knew who he was. But, honestly, a long time had passed since brother contacted her regarding that job. That's why she forgot what he looked like.

So when she first met Kazuya and the many memories they created afterward - they were all genuine. She wasn't pretending to get close to him. But when she saw how hostile her second brother was and noticed General Adrien being too cautious. Lyn decided to search for the file with the photo. When she finally found it, she remembers the weak feeling in her knees, her face color pale.

Why, why does it have to be Kazuya?

Why wasn't she mistaken?

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