Masquerade P2

A few minutes later

After Rhys had left her, Lyn felt bored. She didn't know anybody here, and she didn't want to strike up a conversation with anyone since it involved introducing herself.

When Lyn looked up, she found a pair of eyes on hers and knew instantly who it belonged to.

She made eye contact, and he looked at her in complete disbelief as she mouths,' I came.' Lyn caught a faint tint of pink that appeared on his cheeks. Fufu, so he lets his guard down in front of her? She's relieved that she came after all. Just now, when she walked down the steps, he seemed so tense.

"Lady Lyn, please wait. Could it be that the reason you attended this ball is.."

Lyn stopped and winked at the auburn-colored haired girl, "Now now Pupillam. Like I would do something like that."

Pupillam placed her hand on her forehead and sighed deeply, "I knew it…. Please don't do this again; you're troubling your guards like this."

"You didn't all have to come with me."

"Like we could leave you alone!" Pupillam exclaimed.

Though she told nobody else about coming here, when Lyn spotted not only Pupillam but the Supreme General, Lyn knew that somebody else ratted her out. Well, she supposed there is nothing wrong with them being here too. It made her feel more at ease.

The reason why Lyn went to this ball. Even though she usually refuses such invitations is because of him. The host of the ball, the Ichinose family. Had she been a normal girl then doing something like this isn't possible? They are both members of the elite, and yet they live in different worlds.

It's something she had always known and yet seeing him just now confirmed her thoughts. Coming here because she was worried about him, honestly, what is she doing? That and she glanced around her surroundings if she's lucky that person should also show up here.

Still, her gaze landed on her clothes even now she isn't used to wearing clothes like this. No matter how many balls, banquets she attended wearing these clothes. Long dresses like this are quite stifling. Lyn wondered if Allen would realize it's her, she's wearing clothing that she would generally evade.

Places like this are genuinely stifling to her and yet perhaps in its own way; she has gotten quite used to it.

"Lady Lyn," a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lyn turned around then and spotted a man with deep midnight blue colored hair and deep midnight blue eyes. The person immediately drew the crowds attention.

"… That's the first Prince…"

"Could it be…"

She felt everybody's curious gaze on her, though she wore her mask. It felt like they could see through her. Where did Rhys go when you need him? How useless.

"Prince Ralph. It has been quite a while since I last saw you."

"Indeed it has been. You appear to be doing well."

This man is the first Prince of the Ichinose family, one of the top noble houses in the Mist Kingdom.

"Yes."

This man is the one who succeeded the Ichinose family two years ago. The music began to play halting their conversation.

Ralph turned to her, "May I honor thy fair lady the first dance?"

Pupillam pulled her aside.

"Lady Lyn, ….hold on…..taking the first prince hand when his fiance is in the room is. No no, that's not what I should be worrying about, the fact that he asked you instead of her is already puzzling enough." It's always been quite amusing to see Pupillam's reaction whenever they attend balls and elite gatherings. She tends to be so tense and occasionally pulled her away.

Lyn shook her head, "It's all right," Lyn said. Besides, she already drew this much attention to herself. It would look stranger if she refused. Lyn turned back to the first prince and smiled softly and extended her hand out, "You may."

Ralph nodded and led her to the dance she noted Allen's gaze on her, and she laughed lightly at his expression. He's sulking about it how cute; she supposed she could ask him to dance after this. Lyn shook her head. After this, she should fade into the distance.

"Your dancing has become more refined now."

"Yes. I must not disgrace Allen after all," Lyn trailed off. Even though people don't know she is the fiance.

"Is that so? And yet I see no plans for a wedding in the nearby future."

Lyn rolled her eyes, "The same goes for you, leaving such a lovely lady by your side and yet not getting married."

"Indeed, that I cannot deny. Perhaps I am still experiencing a one-sided love that could never bloom."

At that, she could feel her cheeks color ever so slightly, how stupid.

"You could have chased after me if you wished."

Ralph shook his head. "I could not have. You were in love with him, and he loved you just as much, no even more so. Not even I would be cruel enough to break apart two people who are in love with each other."

Lyn couldn't deny that she loved Allen. Even if she couldn't admit it properly back then, Ralph saw it; the others did too. At least back then Lyn was sure of the feelings she had for Allen. But things are very different now; she wonders if she can confine in Ralph regarding the matter with Allen. Lyn felt awkward troubling Kyou about it. Kyou is still her eldest brothers guard after all.

"But, it appears as though Allen is quite persistence," a chuckle escaped his lips, "Did you not think I would notice the exchanges just now?"

She was discrete about it too. But she supposed that in the past nothing has ever slipped past this person's eyes.

"It's not what you're thinking. Allen is just very protective. He's probably mad that I showed up here without his permission."

A fond smile appeared on Ralph's face, "I can see why. Could it be the girl he took a fancy too then be you?"

"What makes you say he liked someone, then?"

"Because he would always scribble a girl's name down on his notebooks."

Lyn's cheeks turned red at that comment. What on earth was that stupid fiance of hers doing? Really…why is it they ended up doing the same things? Clearly, Ralph didn't miss this expression of hers and chuckles, "I see, so you two are quite close."

"Do not misunderstand me. I have somebody already," Lyn said. She regretted her words right away. What happened to confine with Ralph regarding her feelings for Allen? Stupid Lyn.

"I am aware, the young Sound Kingdom ambassador, or should I say the treasured jewel of the Sound Kingdom?"

At that, she could feel her hands freeze and her expression tense up, "…how did you…no there's no need for me to ask you that. What do you want from him?" How come? How come Ralph knows? There should be nobody but herself, eldest brother and Father with that knowledge. It is not possible for him to know about it. Unless he investigated on the matter and the only people who would research Kazuya's backgrounds are his enemies. Lyn found herself becoming rather tense.

Ralph sensed this and led her down to the edge of the room where they could not be heard.

"You misunderstood me," His tone, it's gentle and so is the look on his face, "There's no need to be afraid. The fact that I know of that information is simply because it was something your brother told me."

"My Eldest brother did?"

Ralph nodded, "Yes. Please do not doubt me, Lyn. It hurts me more than anyone to see how blood stained your destiny has become."