Princess Lyn P3

Year 4014 Mist Kingdom

As they walked through the area, Lyn realized that she had never once appreciated the beauty of this side of the castle before. Then again, it's not like she could enter before. But still, whenever they asked her during her limited time to go out. Lyn mainly focused on getting out of the castle. Her heart called out to the people from the village and the town.

She didn't think to stay in the castle and look around. Now that she got a glimpse of the scenery though, Lyn realized that she missed out on a lot of things here. The place Allen took her to was an area not too far from his quarters, but not too far from the main castle. The area covered with greenery and various flowers.

Eventually, they came to a halt and arrived at what Allen called a mini garden. Lyn thought she was used to seeing greenery; she saw it every day because of the section of the palace she lived in. But there was something different here. The size was much larger, as one would expect. But there were various flowers here that she had never seen before. A particular flower stood out to her, on the center there was a very thorny flower with many layers of petals.

Lyn walked over to it, "This reminds me of you," she commented. Lyn didn't pick it up because of the sharp thorns, but she looked at it closely.

Allen lips curve to an amused smile, "How so?"

"Well if you don't mind me saying so, you're a man who has good intentions and help those around you. But you maintain a distance like thorns to keep them from getting too close."

He burst into laughter then but Lyn didn't laugh, there was something empty about his laughter to her.

"Will you tell me the name of the flower?"

"Let's play a game with that shall we?"

Her cheeks puffed into a pout, "I don't think we have to; you can just tell me."

"Patience my dear."

A deep sigh passed her lips; she supposes it can't be helped. It really is beautiful here and from the lack of guards. Lyn assumed that not too many people knew of this location. She paused in mid-thought as she thought that. Ah? Did Allen show her this not just because of the scenery, but to warn her that this is a blind spot?

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. So it's like that. At the same time though, did Allen show her this because he is wary? Allen knew about Kazuya's existence and their interactions. Lyn thought she was doing a good job hiding it.

But Pupillam told her that the Prince asked her some questions the other day. Allen knew that's why she didn't hesitate to ask Rhys to pass on the message to Kazuya not to bother hiding anymore.

Is he not personally going to ask her about it though? When she cried and told Kazuya, she missed him. All Allen did was stand there. For Allen, is she really just somebody he married about of convenience? The more Lyn thought about it, the more depressed she got.

Lyn didn't want to think ill of her fiance, but it became increasingly difficult to do so. Allen treats her with kindness. But it seems so false and when they are in front of others who aren't his relatives. He puts on a mask.

It made her feel suffocated.

Lyn recalled a time he escorted her back to her chambers the first time she snuck out of the castle successfully. Usually, the palace security is excellent and even more so the guards in her area. From time to time when Mother gets very busy, there are loopholes in the security.

Of course, these loopholes are not obvious, and only a few people knew of their existence. Lyn was one of them. At that time, he walked in front of her and guided her away from the flood of people.

It's changed since then though. Now the two of them walk side by side each other under the bright blue skies. It felt strange. Allen leads her to another section, it was out back, and they had to take several turns to arrive. As well as climb a somewhat long stony path. Allen extended his hand out but Lyn shook her head and followed him up the path. But eventually, it became difficult for her to walk - walking uphill in the shoes she wore

"Instead of being stubborn, give me your hand."

Lyn nodded and didn't bother protesting because of the growing pain in her feet. Allen took hold of her hand, and Lyn felt a familiar warmth. How odd, it felt like this isn't the first time they've held hands before. That's unusual. Lyn doesn't recall a time where Allen held her hand previously. After they walked for a few minutes eventually, they reached the time. Lyn noticed that Allen had slowed down, and she used this chance to regain her breath.

The two of them must have walked around for at least a good forty-five minutes before arriving. The sight was worth it though, on the top was a beautiful hot spring. There was even a little hut at the center and gorgeous trees in the surroundings.

Lyn happily walked across, ignoring the pain on her feet.

"It's pretty! What is this place?"

"A secret place," Allen chuckled, "If you wish to dip your feet in the water, it's okay to do so."

Her eyes lit up, and she followed his suggestion.

...

After soaked her feet in the warm water for the next few minutes, Lyn felt the pain in her legs vanish. She cautiously looked at the man beside her, he didn't dip his feet, but he had joined her. She supposes he doesn't like this type of thing. Then how come he knew about this place? She supposed she could ask him.

But Lyn recalled the words he said earlier and her cheeks puffed into a pout. He really is being mysterious about everything. It's unfair. Still, the fact that he brought her here today and showed her such beautiful places made her feel happy. She wondered when was the last time they spent time together like this.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt his gaze on hers when Lyn looked into his eyes, and he suddenly pulled her into his arms. Ah.

"Allen, I don't think you should show me such kindness."

Even though she refused him, Lyn felt nothing but warm being held by him. A warmth different then Kazuya.

"Why?" he asked her softly. It surprised Lyn how soft and gentle his tone was.

"I'm afraid," she answered him, "The two of us, our engagement is.."

And, he doesn't love her. Even with such kindness and these words, Lyn understood. This man does not harbor such feelings for her. If he did then by now, surely he would have said it while most elite engagements don't have love between the couples. Childhood engagements are different; normally after spending so long with another person, you'd fall for them. But it's different with the two of them. It's different, right now one cannot define whatever is between them as love.