Chapter 13

Inei's Resolve

Inei smiled with her own daydream. Yes, being dependant was not something she really wanted. This emotional attachment to a person was awkward for her. However, for all the discomfort it gave her, she had come to realize that she can be happy with Lyude.

He made her comfortable. He loved her more dearly than anything, and as the days passed, she grew to love him more dearly back. He was overly nice, which was odd. She still didn't understand it, but that was simply the way he was. She turned to face the red-headed Emperor, who was looking over a large pile of papers and discussing some financial business with his new officials. Her job was to sit there and organize what was handed to her. This did not stop her from stealing lovesick glances from her handsome lover.

An official sitting just a couple of feet away from her began staring at her. He had intense, dark eyes, and pitch-black hair that was neatly cropped. He gave her a cocky grin. She just frowned at him, unsure of how to respond to that.

After a minute or two, he scooted closer to her. Inei glanced at him, the filed a few papers that were handed to her.

He scooted closer, and leaned over. "So, you got a boyfriend?" He asked.

Inei gave him a quizzical stare. "Um…yes?"

He scowled under his breath, trying to keep the conversation quiet. "That sounded like a confused answer." He replied. He seemed to be a little annoyed. "Look, it's a simply question. Do you have a boyfriend or not?"

Inei put her pencil to her lips, as to ponder the question. Lyude felt more permanent that a boyfriend to her, as odd as that sounded even in her own head. Finally, she answered in a whispered voice, "Yes."

"Oh. Well is it serious?" He pressed.

"I…guess? I'm sorry, you're making me rather uncomfortable. Could you go back over there please?"

"I'm just trying to make a decent conversation! You're the one talking in confused questions and answers."

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to be confusing. Should I be more straightforward?"

The man seemed to give a small smile. "Yeah! It's always better to be straightforward with conversations like this."

"Oh uh…I see…you're kind of annoying me. Could you return to your place, p-please?"

The man's face faltered. Inei heard him mutter something of being weird, but he stopped bugging her. Somehow, she felt like she didn't say the right thing, though.

"You told him he was annoying?" Lyude exclaimed later as they walked down the hallway.

"I asked him if it was all right to be straightforward…" She defended.

Lyude almost laughed, but couldn't bring himself to. "Inei…maybe we should work on some social skills for you."

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" She asked. "I mean I did ask first…it wasn't the most polite thing to say, but…it was true."

Lyude cringed slightly, shaking his head. This was the kind of thing that fascinated him. He looked up at her, and smiled. "No, no. It's honestly fine…although, I wouldn't expect to be very well-liked with that kind of talking…but you are not here to make many friends, are you?"

"If they can put up with me, I'm sure they will be a good friend." Inei replied simply.

Lyude did laugh lightly at this. "I'm sure they will, sweeting."

Inei blushed at the pet name. "Thanks…" She muttered, and scooted closer to him, nudging the back of his hand with hers.

He glanced at her, smiled, then entwined his fingers with hers. "So. Do I still get on your nerves?" He asked.

"You're still too nice. There are people who don't deserve to be polite to, you know."

"Yet I am the Emperor. I think everyone should be given a fair chance until proven otherwise."

"And then you're just merciless…you're still a bit of a mystery to me, Lyude."

"Do you like that?"

"I guess." She smiled. "Even though you intrigue me…I can say that I am happy with the way you are. "You make me happy. Genuinely."

"I'm glad to hear that, because you make me happy too. My very blunt Inei." He stopped to kiss her for a moment.

Inei blushed but reached up to accept the light brush on the lips. She smiled, and took another step forward.

Quite suddenly the doors to their left burst open, and a rather shirtless Folon was pushing a half-naked Fiza to the other side of the hallway. They were making out heavily, and completely oblivious to their surroundings. Inei turned away, her face beet-red. Lyude's jaw dropped in shock, and he cleared his through loudly as a blush graced his face.

"Excuse me…" He cried loudly, and a surprised Folon raised his head to peer over his shoulder, spotting the other couple standing in the middle of the hallway.

Folon gave them a devilish grin. "Sorry. Got a little carried away." He swiftly swung a rather heated and dazed Fiza into his arms, marching back through the doors he burst through and closing them with a loud slam. Lyude and Inei stared on as they heard a loud lock from behind the door.

"Well. That was-"

"I didn't see anything. Though, it certainly explains quite a bit." Inei interrupted Lyude, and simply continued walking.

"Uhm. Certainly…" He followed her, unsure of what to make of what he just saw.

"Lyude."

"Yes?"

"I've…spent a lot of time thinking about our last conversation."

"You have?" Lyude frowned. Inei sometimes thought a little too much about things.

"I've decided…that even if it's not completely in my normal comfort zone…that I really like being connected to you like this. Even if it means I'm no longer as independent as I want to be…I-what I'm trying to say is-I want you to take care of me."

Lyude frowned for a moment, taking in the words carefully. "I think what you mean is, that you are trusting me with yourself?"

Inei blinked. "Um. Yes, that's…what I said, isn't it?"

Lyude laughed. "Yes, it's what you said. Your trust and love is not misplaced, sweeting. I promise." He gently caressed her hand, kissing the back of it gingerly.

"Oh, Lyude…" She breathed. "I love you."

"And I, you."