Chapter 158 - A Lonely Person (1/2)

”You will not stop her?”

Allen was surprised to see that it was this man of all people who directed the question at him. When he was doing his research on the people his fiancé knew, Shioka was the last person he would have thought to end up following her all the way here and to express such deep concern too.

”There is no need for me to do so. It is something she decided to do.”

It's something she decided to do for herself. That's why he can't stop her. After the confrontation and talk with Kazuya. Allen realized that even if he tried to talk to her about the matter, he wouldn't be able to understand. Which is why he went to that place, he went back to that place and asked the one person he knew would have all the answers.

'The reason she became this way. It wasn't for her own selfish desire, it's because she wanted it. Power and strength to protect everyone else. But in that sense that meaning is already somewhat stale. The reason she fights now is something I cannot tell you. However, if it's her, don't you think she knows what she's doing? If she still decided to fight despite her reason being gone, it won't be for herself. It will be for someone else's sake.'

That's why he can't stop her. Fighting for the sake of another person isn't something he understands all too well.

Rhys who had been making the most fuss suddenly sat down on the ground. He fiddled with some tubes and strange-looking items in boxes.

”What are you doing?” Shaarya asked.

”Making medicine for that idiot. If she fights like that she's going to end up collapsing after its all over.”

Shioka whistles, ”What a responsibility.”

”Shut up. I'm surprised you're not the one stopping her. Didn't Prince Andrew tell you to take care of her in his place?”

Shioka sighs, ”That's true” his gaze darkened, ” But even I can't override her decision. Her words have that power, after all. Whenever she says something, whenever she comes to a decision, you can't just say no.”

Indeed, he too had found that to be the case. He recalled it before, how he would use to converse with both Shioka and Prince Andrew on the matters concerning Lyn.

Allen had heard the rumors that concerned the black-haired guard and his fiance. Yet upon being introduced, there was no such hostility; in fact, Allen could talk to him often. However, if he thought about it carefully, their conversations mainly revolved around a certain girl.

About her having the power to change people's opinions and to bring others to her circle. It was something he found himself pointing out and only to have the wondering justified. But in all those times Allen noticed it, Shioka's gaze always seemed dark then.

”My sister is a lonely person.”

Allen turned his direction to the girl who just spoke,” What do you mean by that?” Allen questioned.

”She didn't want to be with anyone. Even though we were close then, I could never tell what she was thinking. Although she was smiling when she was with me, somehow I always got the feeling it was forced. That she was never able to smile from the bottom of her heart. Even though she was with me, I knew that she didn't want to become too close.”

Not able to smile from the bottom of her heart. He too noticed that. Even though she was always smiling at him, once in a while, her gaze would cloud, and it would look like she was staring off into the distance. During those times, Allen would get worried about her, because it felt like her soul wasn't there.

”I see, that's how it is.”

”But why?” Shioka asked the question that was on everybody's mind.

Shaarya's gaze lands on the both of them, as she said, ”Because if she was with someone and lost them. Then she would be emptier than before.”

Allen thought about it. Back then, when he saw her in private. Those tears, and the look in her eyes. That emptiness and a feeling of being shrouded in darkness. That's right, even though she understood her duties as a Princess. Even though she accepted it, it didn't mean she was okay with the solitude. So when he told her those words...

'We royals are the very opposite of free' she was probably, probably trying to...

Due to his distraction, he didn't realize the enemies charging at him with the blade. However, before Allen could reach for his sword, Lyn appeared in front of him and pushed him out the way.

In that split second there was a huge explosion, causing a grey fog to surround the area. It was a brief fog and didn't last long at all. But even so, it caused the others to become frantic.

”Prince!” Carlo exclaimed.

”I am quite alright,” Allen trailed off, ” Where did...” His sentence fell short when he hears Rhys frantic call.

”Lyn!”

Allen shot his attention to the scene, to see indeed that his fiance was in a sorry state. The girl's clothes had been slashed, and on her side, the sword had remained piercing deep into her skin. The opposition too seemed rather startled and had backed away. So there intention...really isn't to harm her.

Lyn began to cough out blood.

Rhys bites his lip, ”Crap. Lyn, you have too...”

But Lyn shook her head, ”No.”