A few hours later - Mist Kingdom Main Castle -

In the Mist Kingdom Main Castle wing where Allen stayed, they cleared the whole area out to cater for his relatives . Because of this though, Lyn could explore areas of the castle that she didn't before . Before the banquet started, Lyn looked around for a while and liked what she saw . There are many things Lyn didn't know about the main castle . But when she explored by herself, she realized something was missing .

Lyn did not wish to part with Kazuya; she wanted to spend more time with him . But when she recalled Allen's words from earlier, she knew she couldn't refuse . A party from the Wind Kingdom consisted of Allen's relatives arrived earlier, while Allen's brothers were missing . His grandmother and several other relatives came . Unlike the members of her own Kingdom, the people of the Wind Kingdom knew of her existence .

"Here's to Allen and his adorable future wife!"

People raised their cups in the air . All of them sat around a large round table . Unlike the long rectangular tables, this one gave off a friendlier atmosphere . Since people sat close together, one could easily speak with each other, no hierarchy involved . Amongst these people are a mixture of people she met before and new people . Lyn sat beside Allen's grandmother, as she s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably .

n.o.body told her she had to deal with people she didn't know . As a Princess, something like this shouldn't come as a surprise . But it did . She isn't used to things like this . From the corner of her eye, Lyn watched Allen . Ever since the two of them became engaged, Lyn had a bad habit of watching him .

Today Allen wore his formal smile and fake look .

Even though the smile he had earlier suited him a lot better .

Lyn watched as Allen drank a few bottles and toasted with his relatives, "He's faking it," Lyn murmured the whole time . Allen was smiling, but Lyn knew him well . He's most likely bored when they are alone together later she should get him to rant . It's terrible bottling up so many feelings inside after all .

"Can you see behind his mask too?" Allen's grandmother spoke up .

She turned to the senior woman beside her . She said elderly, but Lyn knew that Allen's grandmother is one of those people whose appearance did not match her age . Her hair still regained a natural blonde, on her skin, there were no signs of blemishes of any kind . Aside from a few wrinkles here and there . The woman named 'Maria' looked like a peerless beauty .

Lyn nodded, "I told him on the night of our engagement . "

Maria laughed, "I see now . No wonder," she trailed off . The elder woman's gaze fell on Allen . "You see Princess Lyn . My grandson has always been the quiet type . Even before he learned the ways of the elite, he was a quiet child . He inherited his father's blank face, so those around him easily misunderstood him . He would rather spend time by himself than other people . He used to tell me it was much easier spending time alone than to interact with others . "

"That's wrong," Lyn mumbled quietly, "It's wrong; there is no human alive who doesn't desire human company . "

The elder woman smiled, "You really are a kind child, thank you . "

For the next few minutes, the elderly woman shared more stories about Allen . There were some things that she already knew, such as Allen's achievements that far surprised his brothers . Lyn knew this because when she first knew who she was engaged too .

Lyn did a lot of background research, and when she finally met Allen . It did not take her long before she got to know him . Despite Allen being the Second Prince, his other relatives treated him with respect . She then shared some information Lyn didn't know before, such as Allen having two younger sisters . How contrary to his cold nature, he doted on them a lot .

Lyn chuckled at that; it was hard to imagine . But when she thought about it a bit more, it did make sense . Considering how well he treated her . It must be because of his experience with his sisters . So, in Allen's eyes - she's only a sister type? Lyn didn't know much about romance, but she knew that Allen did not see her in that manner .

Once when they got into a fight, he said it to her about this marriage merely being a convenient one . He apologized to her after he calmed down . But the damage was done . Lyn understood that even if she wanted to get closer to him . To become the closest person in his life, it wasn't possible . So she tried to harden her resolve when it came to him . Recently though, Lyn discovered it was hard to do .

Perhaps it was due to her meeting Kazuya . But Lyn noticed when it came to the man named Allen, the man who is her fiance . There is something in her heart that remained unsettled . As to what that feeling is, Lyn didn't know . But she knew she would eventually have to confront whatever it was that lingered there .

A feeling she's had since back then .

It didn't take long before dinner started . The servants served the food, placing the various dishes on the round tables .

Allen's family focused on serving high-cla.s.s meals, so it surprised Lyn to see seafood . Something normal, giant prawns, crabs, shrimps and all types of fish alongside some freshly cooked vegetables . Due to her isolation, she usually ate simple meals anyway . But even then, there was something about these foods that screamed high cla.s.s .

Her thoughts broke off when Allen placed some shrimps into her bowl, followed by different fishes . She noticed immediately how he casually picked out her favorite dishes . Lyn shyly thanked him, "Thank you, Allen . "

"It's alright . Make sure you eat . "

Lyn nodded . She then noticed something as she caught a glimpse of his plate . She frowned, "You have to eat vegetables . "

"Seafood is already healthy enough," Allen countered .

Lyn shook her head, and like what he did with her, she put various things on his plate . Except, Lyn selectively chose the vegetables . When Lyn discovered that Allen didn't eat vegetables, she lectured him gravely . Over the years she learned that it wasn't that he didn't eat them; it was merely because he was very picky .

Then she felt the prying eyes of Allen's relatives . When Lyn realized how warm the gesture looked to others, she averted her gaze, how embarra.s.sing . Allen, however, was unfazed; in fact, he even reached over and caressed her cheek, "Thank you, Lyn . "

. . . . . . . .

Simple, intimate gestures between the two, occasionally happen . Like what happened earlier, but even for her, this was the first time Lyn experienced this . Currently, the two of them were out on the deck, quietly away from the others .

She laid on his lap while he held up a fan and was fanning her . Lyn felt the coolness engulf her body . How she ended up in such an embarra.s.sing predicament one may wonder . But to summarize it, when there is a gathering as large as this one . Accidents such as mixing up drinks tend to happen . Lyn observed this many times, but this was the first time she fell victim to it .

Lyn understood why normally Pupillam or the General accompanied her to these gatherings . But today she attended by herself . For once in her life, she's grateful for their nagging . Even with the simple meals she eats, the two of them do a thorough job of food tasting . Unlike the rest of her family members, she did not have a professional food taster . Pupillam and the General always bore the risks for her .

She genuinely felt grat.i.tude towards them .

"I apologize . I was not attentive enough . "

Lyn softly laughed, "It's okay . It was a simple mistake . I sat beside your grandmother . "

Allen sighed, "Even though I tell her she should not drink much for her age, in the end, her carelessness affected you . " He gently brushed his free hand on her cheek, "You do not complain to me as much as you used to . "

"I—'m not a child anymore; that's why . "

An amused smile appeared on Allen's face, "Is that so?"

Her cheeks puffed into a pout, what does he mean by that? How rude .

A few hours later - Mist Kingdom Main Castle - In the Mist Kingdom Main Castle wing where Allen stayed, they cleared the whole area out to cater for his relatives . Because of this though, Lyn could explore areas of the castle that she didnt before . Before the banquet started, Lyn looked around for a while and liked what she saw . There are many things Lyn didnt know about the main castle . But when she explored by herself, she realized something was missing . Lyn did not wish to part with Kazuya; she wanted to spend more time with him . But when she recalled Allens words from earlier, she knew she couldnt refuse . A party from the Wind Kingdom consisted of Allens relatives arrived earlier, while Allens brothers were missing . His grandmother and several other relatives came . Unlike the members of her own Kingdom, the people of the Wind Kingdom knew of her existence . Heres to Allen and his adorable future wife! People raised their cups in the air . All of them sat around a large round table . Unlike the long rectangular tables, this one gave off a friendlier atmosphere . Since people sat close together, one could easily speak with each other, no hierarchy involved . Amongst these people are a mixture of people she met before and new people . Lyn sat beside Allens grandmother, as she s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably . n.o.body told her she had to deal with people she didnt know . As a Princess, something like this shouldnt come as a surprise . But it did . She isnt used to things like this . From the corner of her eye, Lyn watched Allen . Ever since the two of them became engaged, Lyn had a bad habit of watching him . Today Allen wore his formal smile and fake look . Even though the smile he had earlier suited him a lot better . Lyn watched as Allen drank a few bottles and toasted with his relatives, Hes faking it, Lyn murmured the whole time . Allen was smiling, but Lyn knew him well . Hes most likely bored when they are alone together later she should get him to rant . Its terrible bottling up so many feelings inside after all . Can you see behind his mask too? Allens grandmother spoke up . She turned to the senior woman beside her . She said elderly, but Lyn knew that Allens grandmother is one of those people whose appearance did not match her age . Her hair still regained a natural blonde, on her skin, there were no signs of blemishes of any kind . Aside from a few wrinkles here and there . The woman named Maria looked like a peerless beauty . Lyn nodded, I told him on the night of our engagement . Maria laughed, I see now . No wonder, she trailed off . The elder womans gaze fell on Allen . You see Princess Lyn . My grandson has always been the quiet type . Even before he learned the ways of the elite, he was a quiet child . He inherited his fathers blank face, so those around him easily misunderstood him . He would rather spend time by himself than other people . He used to tell me it was much easier spending time alone than to interact with others . . Thats wrong, Lyn mumbled quietly, Its wrong; there is no human alive who doesnt desire human company . The elder woman smiled, You really are a kind child, thank you . For the next few minutes, the elderly woman shared more stories about Allen . There were some things that she already knew, such as Allens achievements that far surprised his brothers . Lyn knew this because when she first knew who she was engaged too . Lyn did a lot of background research, and when she finally met Allen . It did not take her long before she got to know him . Despite Allen being the Second Prince, his other relatives treated him with respect . She then shared some information Lyn didnt know before, such as Allen having two younger sisters . How contrary to his cold nature, he doted on them a lot . Lyn chuckled at that; it was hard to imagine . But when she thought about it a bit more, it did make sense . Considering how well he treated her . It must be because of his experience with his sisters . So, in Allens eyes - shes only a sister type? Lyn didnt know much about romance, but she knew that Allen did not see her in that manner . Once when they got into a fight, he said it to her about this marriage merely being a convenient one . He apologized to her after he calmed down . But the damage was done . Lyn understood that even if she wanted to get closer to him . To become the closest person in his life, it wasnt possible . So she tried to harden her resolve when it came to him . Recently though, Lyn discovered it was hard to do . Perhaps it was due to her meeting Kazuya . But Lyn noticed when it came to the man named Allen, the man who is her fiance . There is something in her heart that remained unsettled . As to what that feeling is, Lyn didnt know . But she knew she would eventually have to confront whatever it was that lingered there . A feeling shes had since back then . It didnt take long before dinner started . The servants served the food, placing the various dishes on the round tables . Allens family focused on serving high-cla.s.s meals, so it surprised Lyn to see seafood . Something normal, giant prawns, crabs, shrimps and all types of fish alongside some freshly cooked vegetables . Due to her isolation, she usually ate simple meals anyway . But even then, there was something about these foods that screamed high cla.s.s . Her thoughts broke off when Allen placed some shrimps into her bowl, followed by different fishes . She noticed immediately how he casually picked out her favorite dishes . Lyn shyly thanked him, Thank you, Allen . Its alright . Make sure you eat . Lyn nodded . She then noticed something as she caught a glimpse of his plate . She frowned, You have to eat vegetables . Seafood is already healthy enough, Allen countered . Lyn shook her head, and like what he did with her, she put various things on his plate . Except, Lyn selectively chose the vegetables . When Lyn discovered that Allen didnt eat vegetables, she lectured him gravely . Over the years she learned that it wasnt that he didnt eat them; it was merely because he was very picky . Then she felt the prying eyes of Allens relatives . When Lyn realized how warm the gesture looked to others, she averted her gaze, how embarra.s.sing . Allen, however, was unfazed; in fact, he even reached over and caressed her cheek, Thank you, Lyn . Simple, intimate gestures between the two, occasionally happen . Like what happened earlier, but even for her, this was the first time Lyn experienced this . Currently, the two of them were out on the deck, quietly away from the others . She laid on his lap while he held up a fan and was fanning her . Lyn felt the coolness engulf her body . How she ended up in such an embarra.s.sing predicament one may wonder . But to summarize it, when there is a gathering as large as this one . Accidents such as mixing up drinks tend to happen . Lyn observed this many times, but this was the first time she fell victim to it . Lyn understood why normally Pupillam or the General accompanied her to these gatherings . But today she attended by herself . For once in her life, shes grateful for their nagging . Even with the simple meals she eats, the two of them do a thorough job of food tasting . Unlike the rest of her family members, she did not have a professional food taster . Pupillam and the General always bore the risks for her . She genuinely felt grat.i.tude towards them . I apologize . I was not attentive enough . Lyn softly laughed, Its okay . It was a simple mistake . I sat beside your grandmother . Allen sighed, Even though I tell her she should not drink much for her age, in the end, her carelessness affected you . He gently brushed his free hand on her cheek, You do not complain to me as much as you used to . I—m not a child anymore; thats why . An amused smile appeared on Allens face, Is that so? Her cheeks puffed into a pout, what does he mean by that? How rude .