"Since the beginning."
So, since she came here.
"Not going to criticize me for hiding our enemy away?"
"Why would I blame you for something like this? Besides it's quite amusing seeing Ayah like this, Ayah isn't the type who would spend time in a place like this."
Indeed, the black-haired woman who had positioned herself on the top of his desk and was flicking through the books in the nearby areas was examining the room quite carefully, spoke the truth. For a person with Ayah's character, a place like this does not suit her at all. Yet, he recalled the expression on the girls face at that time and the words she said. It made him happy to hear it, more than he actually ended up letting out. His thoughts were broken when he felt Lyn place her hand on his lip, "My ignoring you seem to have brought you closer to another woman. Should I be worried?"
Closer huh? It's true it's because Sumire is always with other people. That he cannot go near her, that he spends more time with his enemy. But, he chuckles, " Fret not. Even now, you are my first priority."
"Is that so?"
Even though that's all, she said. Rhys could tell that his words made her relieved since she showed on her expression. She truly is a selfish girl. But despite that selfishness, he cannot dislike her. In fact, even now, he falls even more and more in love with her. Most people would call him foolish, though, and he knew that the girl's behavior would not be accepted.
They would call her all sorts of names and say she only intends to play around. Her actions may seem that way to most people. However, Rhys knew her better; he knew her far too well. Back then and even now, that's why no matter what anyone says. There is a reason behind such actions even if it does look bad in the eyes of the other people.
It is difficult to concentrate with his research with her in the room. Positioned at his table nonetheless and behind closed doors -where he could do anything to her. There were things he thought about, desires that plagued his dreams. For now, there had to be a separation. Lyn was younger than him. For a while, he would have to restrain himself.
But still...he was a healthy, young and single male! There are some fantasies, perverted though they might be, that any would have.
Dammit, stop with these thoughts!
He continued with his work, and yet his gaze remained on the girl who took it upon herself to read. How dearly he wanted to play with her, grab her, drag her into an empty room or storage closet and ravage her as they strained to keep quiet so no would hear.
He shook his head. That was an impossible fantasy.
And this situation clearly proved just that.
Here they are in a room to themselves surrounded by nothing but books. But by themselves nonetheless and all that occurred between them was a single yet intimate kiss.
"Say," Lyn spoke up and broke the silence.
"Hmm?"
"The stars. You only took me out to see it that time, was it only a one-shot attempt at my attention? Because you know I do like that sort of thing."
At that, he stops writing and puts his book down, " You do, huh?"
"Mm. I quite like it."
Yes, he knows, he knows that all too well and that's why he did it. Rhys too didn't dislike it, having a moment like that - that wasn't based on desire made him feel a degree of happiness. However, that time was an exception because he was setting up the memories she had of that person for one last time.
When he cuts peoples threads, it had no weakness. Even if the situation is similar to an event of the past, she won't suddenly recall it since he focused on directly cutting the bond. But to say he was conflicted about it was one thing. "....Would you like to go with me again?" Rhys mumbled.
He asked casually, making sure not to let it slip that he did desire greatly to have such a moment like that with her again. She responded once again by touching his face, " I'd like to go with you again, as soon as possible. Do you get it, Rhys?"
At that comment, he stopped what he was doing. He leaned forward and gently laid his lips on hers. In that time, Rhys felt her step on his foot, a large crunching sound is heard, but he bared with the pain.
God, this situation was a turn on; he really did want to ravish her completely now. However, destroying this moment with her wasn't what he desired. Rhys gently kisses the palm of the girl's hand, "This will have to do," he murmured, releasing his hold on her.
"I see, so you can be a gentleman if you choose to do so."
"Brat," Rhys murmurs, as he suddenly has an idea and laces their hands together, " Don't expect to get your hand back anytime soon."
This action caused the girl's demeanor to change completely, as he noted the tint of red in her cheeks. "That's unpleasant," Lyn murmurs.
Ah, she really is something else. Even though they just shared a kiss - she didn't blush at those actions at all. But just their hands merely touching each other. Truly, unlike all the others, this girl is different. That may be why he wishes to do things differently with her because she's different because his feelings towards her are actually genuine love and have nothing to do with her looks. Sure he did like his woman quite beautiful, and Lyn did fit that description. Yet Rhys knew that it wasn't the girls looks that he fell for. He wants to treasure her; he wants to treat her differently, unlike the rest.
Rhys recalled the conversation he had with his blunette hair friend, who confronted him directly, '...., I will give up on her. It's something I have meant to do for the longest of time. But I had to make sure of something first. Do not mistake me; I still love her a great deal... However, I'd rather hand her over to you then see her with myself. Yet in order to endure that I had to confirm something. You truly love her, don't you? It's not just to do with the past, you two shared. You love the present her even more then you did the past.'
When Rhys responded to that, he noted how genuine and gentle his own tone was when speaking of her. When speaking of his fondness and attachments to her. Indeed, his friend had made the right call in confronting him about it. Otherwise, he may never have ended up saying it.
For the first time, he thought that he wanted to protect these feelings.
Just like an idiot.