The Promised Flower (2)

But as frustrating as it was, Rhys knew he couldn't do anything about it. Back then, the only reason why he could approach Lyn was because of Kazuya. If they gave the mission to anybody else, he wouldn't have gotten the chance to talk to her at all. Rhys used to think that he was attached to the girl because of his mission, yes it may have started out that way. But it didn't take long before something changed. It didn't take long before he fell in love with her.

"Rhys?" Lyn was staring at him impatiently, and Rhys realized that he stopped the story half way.

Rhys ran his hand through his hair, "I think we can resume this story another time."

The girl clearly wasn't happy with his decision considering the look on her face.

He wanted to desperately tell her everything too. But he doesn't want to overwhelm her. At least with the little information he just said to her, she can think it through - and see what she remembers from this point onwards.

"Then, will you let me go now?" Lyn referred to their current position.

"Is this really that bad for you?"

Lyn rolled her eyes, "That's not it; I just want to stretch my legs again."

"Then, I'll give your legs a massage."

"I change my mind."

Rhys laughed, why is it that she's still so easy to tease? So many years have passed since she was a Princess. While Lyn was no longer as naive as she once was, Rhys felt like some traits from back then remain unchanged even now. His gaze softened, well he liked her regardless of what she was like.

.....

When night fell, Lyn reluctantly slept beside him again. According to her words, it was futile to argue with him. Rhys hated how she made it sound like a business deal, and that the only reason she was staying beside him was because she had no choice. Unlike the previous night, Rhys discovered that he could sleep more peacefully. He didn't know what it was, but he could relax more. However, in the middle of the night, he abruptly woke up.

A nightmare, huh? His gaze landed on his surroundings and blinked. That's right; they aren't in the castle. A deep sigh passed his lips as he reached out for the pipe on the side table and took a whiff. Rhys looked briefly towards the girl fast asleep beside him. Lyn was sleeping peacefully, and he was relieved to see it.

It occurred to him to quit fooling around and just sleep in the other room. As much as he desired her, Rhys didn't want to make her do anything unreasonable and without consent. It didn't help how he easily got aroused whenever she got close. A deep sigh passed his lips; ah screw it. There's one way to end these pointless thoughts. Rhys bent down and kissed the girls lips.

"Nnghm..."

It was a brief kiss, and yet it left him desiring more.

Rhys quickly pulled away and muttered, "Damn," he thought that would help relieve him of his desires towards her. But all it did was want the girl even more. Maybe he should just leave and sleep in the other room.

If he leaves, he will be all alone again. That's something he no longer wants. Rhys snuggled up against Lyn when Kazuya's image came to mind. He shook his head, don't bother about it. It's not like he is doing anything bad.

'I met her before Kazuya did, so I don't think I am doing anything wrong.' Lyn's missing memories aren't limited to her days as a Princess. The childhood she can't remember, their past and true first meeting.

...

- Near the mansion -

Rhys felt restless. He didn't know what it was, so he started to jog. He stuck to jogging back and forth a hill not too far from the mansion. He felt uneasy, leaving Lyn all by herself. Though he went out yesterday and nothing happened, Rhys didn't want to risk it. Though this place is undoubtedly safe, this is still a town Ayah controlled, who knew what lurked around in the shadows? Honestly, Rhys understood why he felt like this. It was because of Lyn, right now she close to him. So close and yet he can't do anything to her. Rhys knew if they met again, things would end up like this.

But he didn't think that it would be like this. Everything was so messed up in the past. Falling in love was the last thing he needed to do. He had to be a good leader. Kazuya was strong, but he didn't have leadership skills, at least back then anyway. That's why he took charge.

During that time, Rhys was insecure about many things, and yet the people around him did not notice it at all. Instead, they passed it off as him being moody. But not her. Not her. Lyn was the only one who realized and pointed out his fears, insecurities, and worries. She was the only one who told him to confront it all and look ahead to the future.

Yes, it's not possible to be in love with someone you just met. That's true. But, that doesn't erase it. Erase the possibility that there was already some string that connected and intertwined their fates together. As a person, he has undoubtedly grown from his mistakes, grown from all that suffering he went through. In the end, though the only reason that was possible was because of her. It was because he met her that his world is no longer so narrow.

And yet the massive scale of this new world brought about a new set of problems for him. Issues that are different - he couldn't tell her any of this though. Rhys could never openly confine in Lyn regarding anything since he knew full well that Lyn would focus on helping him and ignore her immediate goals. Rhys knew how important the girl's goals and relationships to those around her were very important. But he knew if he said something about his fears and insecurities, then she would most likely toss everything aside for him.

From the very start, Rhys knew that Lyn would never become his. From the moment he met her, this was obvious, so even though she was his type. He had no intention on making a move on her. But before he knew it. .. He started to like everything about her.

' I like those unexpectedly cute smiles you pull from time to time. '

' I like how even though you've changed a lot. You always sound so formal in messages. '

' I like how you're usually so reliable, yet you can be absentminded. '

' You can be straightforward and tactless. But it honestly makes you more charming. That's why I like everything about you. '

' I like how you're working so hard for your dream and yet not losing sight of the people around you. '

' I love you, Lyn.'

It really was unexpected on his behalf. Falling for her was unexpected, let alone confessing to her. But in the end, those things happened, didn't they?

There is a saying people frequently liked to tell him before, Lyn told him, and then the Princess did.

How did it go again?

Ah yes...

---

Year 4014 Mist Kingdom

"What have you been writing for the last few minutes?" Rhys said.

They were taking a quick break from practice, and the second he said it was the break. Lyn pulled out a familiar looking notebook; he says familiar because he often saw Kazuya use it before.

"I'm writing inspirational phrases."

Rhys raised his eyebrows, inspirational phrases, huh?

When he saw how focused the girl looked, he couldn't help but get curious. He sat up and peered over.

- Sometimes it just takes patience for everything to happen. You won't get respect in just one day, you can't be in love with someone that you just met & you won't be able to forgive yourself in a second -

Rhys blinked, "Huh, so you believe in that stuff?"

Lyn lets out an 'eep' sound, "Don't just sneak up on me like that."

Sneak up, she said, but they were sat next to each other.

"A person grows by making mistakes, and getting hurt, and learning from their regrets. It's up to the individual; however, to make the first move, to take that first step into the pathway of happiness. It what you do that makes you who you are. People tend to assume things instead of doing their research; they simply judge the situation and make mistakes. This single decision leads to messing up a lot of people, especially in relationships," Rhys noticed how the girl seemed to pause at that and he raised his eyebrow.

Did she misunderstand something regarding Kazuya again? Most likely, "There is always a true story, a true meaning behind everything. Change for the better, change for yourself, and not another person. It's easy to lose sight of our goal and forget what our purpose was - so we have to take careful steps to ensure that we understand everything first."