Chapter 133 A Promise by the Lake

"Ryo, you're so bad!"

Krista pouted, ready to scold him with her hands on her hips.

Ryo laughed. "What? Everyone says I'm a good guy!" He feigned innocence, grinning at her.

"Hmph, you're definitely a bad guy! Otherwise, why would you put your hand there?" she huffed. "My mom said that boys who try to take advantage of girls are bad guys!"

Hearing her serious tone, Ryo couldn't help but burst into laughter. Letting go of her hand, he sat down on the grass, picked up a stone, and casually tossed it into the lake. The still water rippled outward, spreading in gentle waves.

"Oh? Your mom really said that?" he teased. "Did she also tell you that when a boy and a girl are together, they can create incredible miracles?"

He plucked a small yellow flower from the grass and tucked it into Krista's hair as she sat beside him.

Krista instinctively reached up to touch her hair, wondering what he had placed there. When she realized it was a flower, a soft smile graced her lips. Though she couldn't see herself in a mirror, the fact that Ryo had given it to her made her heart flutter.

"I don't remember her saying anything like that," she murmured, eyeing him curiously. "What do you mean by 'miracles'?"

Ryo smirked mischievously. "Oh? Haven't you heard? Want me to tell you?"

"Hmph, it's definitely something bad!" Krista crossed her arms, immediately on guard. She knew that look on his face—it meant he was up to no good again.

Ryo chuckled, deciding to let it go. She was only fourteen. Teasing her too much would be unfair. Instead, he changed the subject to something more important.

"By the way, Krista… where's the ring I gave you before?"

Krista blinked in surprise. "I have it with me!" She rummaged through her bag and pulled out the small ring.

Ryo smiled, taking a deep breath. "Miss Krista, will you accept my proposal and marry me one day in the future?"

He had asked her once before, but it had been more playful back then—without a ring, without much thought. This time, he meant it. Even if they were too young to marry now, an engagement wasn't out of the question.

Krista's cheeks flushed. "I don't want to! If I marry you, you'll definitely bully me!"

"Oh? So you dare to reject me?" Ryo narrowed his eyes, feigning offense. "You must be tired of living! Looks like I have no choice but to teach you a lesson!"

Before she could react, he launched a tickle attack.

"Ah—Ryo, stop! Hahaha—no—!"

Krista tried to resist, but Ryo knew exactly where to strike—her sides, her knees, even the back of her neck. Her laughter rang out across the lake, uncontrollable and breathless. The more she laughed, the harder it was to stop.

"Had enough?" Ryo teased, finally letting her go.

Krista collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. Her face was flushed from laughter, making her look like a little apple—absolutely adorable.

As she caught her breath, her expression grew serious. "Ryo… there's something I've never told you."

Ryo noticed the shift in her demeanor and stayed quiet, waiting.

Krista hesitated. She had always carried a heavy burden, one she had tried to keep hidden even in the training corps. Though no one had come after her yet, the fear remained—one day, someone might find her, just like they had found her mother. That thought had haunted her for years.

But now, she wasn't just worried about herself. She feared dragging Ryo into it.

"Ryo… my real name isn't Krista Lenz."

Ryo tilted his head. "Huh? It's not?"

She took a deep breath. "My real name is… Historia Reiss."

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(A/N: Advance Chapters Available On My Patreon)