บท 153: Memories in the wind Part 2
It was nightfall when they finally finished the job. Fearing that it would attract too much attention, he decided to head back on foot rather than send for a carriage. Is the blood sticking to his clothing? He needs to bathe and change before the ball; he needs to be careful to avoid Lyn. If she sees him in this state, he will surely lecture her.
"It was nice of the Princess to dress up for you," Naoki commented as they entered the palace.
Allen shrugged.
"I don't get why."
At that response, he frowned.
"Why not? You're her fiance. She wants to look pretty for you."
"She looks good all the time."
At the very least, he has never seen a woman prettier than Lyn. All the other women he has met look gaudy and superficial.
"Prince, women are strange creatures. Even if they look good to us all the time, there are times when they will go out of their way to make themselves look even better. It makes them feel good to be complimented by the significant other.
'Significant other,' huh? They are indeed engaged. But, it still felt strange to him hearing those words.
Upon seeing him, the servants rushed over, flustered.
He received the report that his fiance had returned in a rather battered manner. He quickly sent his trusted female aide to assist her and ensure that no one else arrived in the area.
'I would assist her, but it is almost time for the ball.'
Allen dismissed Naoki and headed to the bathing area to bathe. Worrying that somebody would discover what happened with Lyn, he didn't stay in the bath for too long and quickly got dressed before heading to the hall.
It was crowded already; it seemed like many people wanted to leave a good impression on him. The moment they learned he was there, he was surrounded in seconds. Allen quietly sighed to himself. He came down quickly to distract the guests, but he was worried about Lyn.
The maids seemed flustered and mentioned how 'her clothing seemed torn.' He already knew what they were implying, but Allen knew that Lyn had no other men. She isn't the type to mess around, either. So something else must have happened.
The break was over, and the actual banquet didn't start till later on; they still had the greetings to do for the guests who could not make it later on. Still, it would raise suspicion if he stayed alone for long; he certainly hoped that Lyn would come quickly.
'The reason why I let her go so easily this morning is because I noticed how distracted she seemed.' If she can take her mind off things for a moment, then he should allow her that much. He understood the reason why her mind kept wandering.
Lyn isn't comfortable with this place just yet.
"And so, where is your wife ?"
Alright, here comes the problem.
Before he could make up an excuse, though, a girl with black hair descended from the doors wearing a pale buttercream yellow, heart-shaped lacey top with sections of sky blue and white ruffles lining it.
A sky blue skirt with a slight pleat, it has two pale buttercream yellow frilly sections that resemble pockets, both with a pink bow with a gold heart in the center with a kiss written on them with chains underneath the heart, matching the tops' decorations.
A yellow rose and an ocean green flower hair clip. Comes with dangle earrings that have a single blue heart and a creamy wing on each side of the earring.
"Oh my, isn't she stunning?"
The clothes from earlier certainly suited her; she looks good in anything. But, when she wears elegant clothing like this, it makes her look like a goddess.
Lyn appears by his side. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
Allen shakes his head. "It was no trouble. But we will have to speak about it later on."
"Ah, of course."
He frowned, realizing that she was wearing a heavy amount of makeup, and grabbed hold of her wrist. "Excuse me for a moment."
He didn't wait for a reply and dragged her out of the banquet hall. After walking for a few minutes, he opened the door to one of the private lounges.
Allen watched Lyn collapse onto the sofa. "How odd. I can manage fifty missions/ jobs in one night and not break a sweat. Yet greeting so many old men in two hours is impossible for me."
He ignored the rather inappropriate comment and focussed on the girl's appearance. 'I knew it; she must have gone to a different event and then ended up in a fight.'
"Indeed. Having those old men, as you call it, drool over you will not make me comfortable." Allen said, taking a seat beside her.
Lyn laughs lightly. "Aha, were you jealous."
"-and if I were?"
Allen noticed the girl's expression, and that's when he decided to do it. He reached over and pulled her, so her head was resting on his lap.
"Hold on, Allen?" Lyn said, flustered.
He shuts his eyes briefly before sighing. "I will not take no for an answer." He said his voice was firm and sharp to emphasize his point. "You just came back from a fight, from what Naoki told me, and in such a battered condition too. I doubt any of those peasants harmed you, but I can tell that you're very frail right now, and fighting has become rather difficult for you." Allen chose those words carefully, knowing how the girl felt about her condition.
To his surprise, the girl relaxed. " Yeah, that's true. I ought to be more careful. Even now, sometimes I can feel like the flame inside me will destroy my insides left and right." Lyn extends her hands out to the ceiling. "Allen, I'm grateful for you after all. Despite all that's been going on and even though it's almost over."
"No...I haven't ---" He paused, seeing her expression. "I couldn't do anything to help you during that time, and I only acted when I saw you performing your soul out for someone else. In the end, I was only ever thinking of myself."
Lyn suddenly reached over and touched his face with her hand. "Even if that was the case, there's nothing wrong with it. Because we're all humans, we all feel those emotions of envy and greed."
'She truly knows how to render me speechless. How many times have I warned her not to touch a man so easily?'
"I always recall those words you said to me. ' It may be in your people's best interest for you not to know and that ' we elites are the very opposite of free. I know you regret telling me that, but I believe if you didn't say it, I wouldn't have realized. Even if I work so hard for my people, it's not like I'll get any merit from it." Lyn laughs lightly. "It was embarrassing. I worked hard for all my people, and yet they discredited my actions and looked down on me. But despite my failure, I could not quit. Even though I only joined for that purpose. Along the way, something changed, and before I realized it, I was already bound to the people in this world."
The only reason people discarded her efforts is due to all those evil rumors about her. But, now is not the time to discuss that with her.
Lyn suddenly sits up. "Tonight, though it may seem rather abrupt. Please allow me to sing for you."
At those words, his eyes went wide. He cannot win against this girl at all. "I am defeated by you, do whatever you please."
_____
Allen opened his eyes to see the orange rays of light enter the room. There was no sign of Cordelia indicating that she must have left. He hears the sound of people rushing back and forth. 'Did something happen?'
He rubbed his sleepy eyelids for a moment before walking over to the window. His eyes widened, spotting horses and a carriage by the gate. It was Lyn, Kazuya, and another person. Isn't that Rhys?
'I heard the report, but this is still surprising.'
It was almost like she knew he was staring since he felt blue eyes on his in seconds.
He was too far away to hear her exact words, but her bright smile was clear to him. 'I'm back.'
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XOMatsumaeohana
XOMatsumaeohana I'm back. I'm sorry for delaying this book for two years, I initially planned to finish this in 2020. But, a lot happened and I had mixed feelings writing this. I started this book with a group of friends, but everything fell apart. It was difficult for me to write this story without crying and recalling painful memories. But, I want to finish this. It's a very important story filled with memories for me.
- XOMatsumaeohana
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