Chapter 139 - A single beautiful truth (2/2)

Lyn expected that from General Adrien, but even Pupillam? Later on, Lyn understood why they reacted that way. The world is not as pretty as one would think. The darkness grows as each day passes by. It was stupid of them to hide that from her. Did they think she didn't know that already? Did they really think that she saw the world as beautiful? After what happened when she was younger, Lyn knew better than to think of the world as a beautiful place.

In fact, the trauma and scar left from that incidence were far too great. When she first met General Adrien, she thought he was a monster and hid from him whenever she saw him. Things got better after she got to know him, and later on, she met Pupillam. By that point, while she was still traumatized, the effects weren't as visible as before.

”And then, to my surprise, you already knew.”

Lyn laughed, ”Did you think of me as ignorant?”

”At the very least, I simply thought of you as foolish. Back then, I said those words because I wished to frighten you away. I wanted to maintain a distance between the two of us.”

Why is he talking in past tense? Isn't it still the same now in the future? Nothings changed between them. Things are still the same as they were before. Lyn kept trying to convince herself, but then she recalled Allen's unusual behavior - and how he kissed her too. Maybe Allen is trying to close the distance between them now? Lyn still isn't sure. However, something is changing, and she can no longer deny that.

Allen spoke slowly, ”But, that's exactly why I want to tell you this now because I may not get the chance to do so in the future.”

Before Lyn could respond, she caught a glimpse of a small girl playing in the river. Allen was riding quickly, so the distance grew in seconds. But Lyn immediately felt something was wrong and then realized how unusually crowded it was.

Lyn acted out of instinct and loosened Allen's hold on her as she jumped off the horse.

...

- River Bank -

It was an act of bravery, or more like natural instinct for her. When she saw that girl standing dangerously close to the river, and those passing individuals increasing by the minute. Lyn knew what would happen. Naturally, the passing individuals didn't see the child and knocked her over. The river here connects with a much larger one, if the girl got washed away, then nobody would find her for days.

”Wahh, I'm sorry miss,” the girl cried.

Lyn softly laughed, ”It's okay, I'm all right,” she gently brushed her hand across the little girl's cheek, ”Your soaking cold. Wait for a bit, my companion will come here with my stuff. I'll lend you something to wear.”

”Okay.”

After a few minutes, she hears the sound of a galloping horse. It belonged to Allen. Ah, he got here first. Then again, she jumped off his horse, and Rhys was already ahead of them. Allen wore an angry look on his face, and her sweat fell. He will definitely scold her.

”Allen, my bag?” Lyn called.

Allen looked very mad, but he got off the horse and walked over. Each footstep felt like an eternity to her. Maybe it was because she felt the weight and intensity behind his solemn look on his face. She is in so much trouble. Perhaps she ought to stall and personally take the girl home as Lyn thought that, Allen appeared in front of her.

”All-,” her sentence fell short when he pulled her into his arms. Her gaze softened when she felt him trembling. He was afraid, of course, he was. She did jump out randomly like that, ”I'm sorry for frightening you.”

”Big sister, big brother, are you two a cou..couple?” The little girl suddenly said. Lyn immediately froze, and she pulled herself away from Allen with flushed cheeks.

Goodness! What is she doing? Even if things like hugging are normal for her. Most people would see it as an act of affection. Even a young child like this can recognize something is different here.

Allen broke the silence, he reached over and patted the girl's hair, ”That is wrong, but big sister here and I are very good friends, and she's important to me.”

Lyn's eyes widened at Allen's words. Is she important to him?