A trap

That's right, she understood very well after watching the lasting damage of her sister's reign. No even long before that.

"Mother certainly had a hard time after father was framed for a crime he didn't commit. Even though she was the best candidate to become the Empress, because she defended her spouse she lost the trust and faith from the people."

"..."

"But mother never blamed them. She never resented them. It's because my mother understood that those emotions were normal. She could never blame them for behaving like humans. In the citizens eyes, the frame my father committed was outrageous. It was normal."

"And yet?"

"I am sure deep down my mother was sad, she wanted to cry, shout and openly say that her husband would never do such a thing. But because of her position she had to hold back those emotions. The citizens can freely express their emotions, that is a freedom we royals will never have."

Her thoughts break off when Rhys grabbed held her hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. Even without words she could hear him say 'it's going to be okay.'

This person is so very kind and gentle. It's difficult to believe that there were so many bad rumors about him before.

"If you want to cry, and shout. You can do so too. I won't judge you."

Lyn laughed weakly. "Rhys, if you spoil me too much. I will end up relying on you."

"That's fine. I would like it if you did just that."

This person-

"If you have any other concerns we can work on it together."

Lyn could only stare at him speechless. She has been thinking this for awhile now but why can he say such lines so easily with a straight face? He has changed, he wasn't this honest before.

Was the trigger to this change truly because she slept with Kazuya? Why is he behaving like this?

"I feel like you are tricking me." Lyn admitted.

"How so?"

"S-since, since we became closer again everything you have done has only made me happy. It feels like you are plotting something."

Is he trying to get her to lower her guard so she sleeps with him again? If it were the past Rhys then she could easily see that happening. But the current him is very different.

"Is it wrong for me to treat you kindly?"

"T-that's not it, I just find it strange."

"I see." Rhys didn't seem surprised with her words. "Then I shall be very frank. All of this is a trap for you to like me."

"...?!"

Did he just admit it? Lyn averted her gaze. "I have never heard of somebody putting in so much effort for a trap."

"It depends on who the other person is, since it's you. It's only natural that I do this much."

'I regret saying those words now.' How did he counter it with another equally cheesy line? How does he know what to say to maker her lose her composure?

"I like getting to see your many different expressions, especially when you're flustered."

If he said something like this in the past, she would have easily brushed it off as him teasing her. But it's different now. Lyn didn't reply and quickly took a bite of the chicken.

"B-by the way, your hair. Why did you dye it red?" Lyn wanted to change the topic quickly.

It feels like if they continue this way something will happen again.

'It's not like I regret sleeping with him, but it's still embarrassing.'

"Oh, this is actually my original hair colour. I dyed it black before to blend in with the people in the Sound Kingdom. But now that my identity is exposed, there is no need to do that anymore."

"I-I see."

So that red hair is natural? She has never seen somebody with such vibrant red hair and red coloured eyes before. Lyn wondered how it would feel to touch his hair, while they are being intimate- her entire face reddened at those words. What is she thinking?

"If you want to touch, you can get closer."

"...!"

Is he using some type of mind reading magic on her? How come he knows what she is thinking?

"By the way this isn't magic, it's easy to tell what you're thinking just by looking at your face. Your expressions give it away."

"That's not fair."

Rhys chuckled and she pouted. "You're definitely teasing me now."

"I would never do such a horrid thing." Rhys brought a strand of her hair to his lips. "Lyn, do you want to stay over?"

"S-tay here?"

"I mean, you were just going to return to your office and do paperwork right? I figured you may as well stay here and do it."

He makes a point, while she planned to inspect the main town and the orphanages. She supposes she wouldn't have been able to do all of that in one day. The paperwork has increased so Kazuya is probably sneaking off somewhere again. She would have spent a day in her office and wouldn't be able to inspect.

Lyn looked around the room. "Where would I work?"

There doesn't seem to be a suitable place.

"Right there." Rhys pointed to the bed. "I have a mini table you can use. You can sit all comfortably while doing paperwork and having a nice view of the ocean too. It's not a bad deal right?"

He certainly makes a point. But if he is suggesting that she stays here, then that means he will be staying too won't he? After all he told her earlier that he would be heading to the spider headquarters.

"Where will you work?" Lyn asked understanding.

"Right beside you."

"I-I think the bed is too small for that."

"Huh? But it's a double bed."

If they work that closely together, her heart will stop.

"You don't have to be so nervous. I don't plan to jump on you." Rhys said.

"The fact that you can say that but mean that it crossed your mind."

"I suppose so, but only because you keep making that type of expression."

"What type of expression?"

"That type." Rhys trailed off. He awkwardly ran his hands through his hair. "Listen, you are too tense Lyn. I am not going to do anything uncalled for. I know where my boundaries lay."

Lyn frowned hearing those words. Whenever she hears him say such words, she feels like he is trying to put up a wall between them. As frustrating as it is, she understands why. After all she not only treated him coldly but even asked him to return to the Mist Kingdom with the status as her 'knight.' It is probably far too late to take back those words and her behaviour from that time. But she has to work on resolving the misunderstanding.

*Unedited*