Rare Gemstone (Kirito x reader)

Chapter 3

(Y/n)'s POV

It was already nighttime. Kirito had set up the tents and was catching fish for dinner.

"Hey Kirito, I'm going to go wash."
"Alright."

I walked a little up the stream and found myself in a secluded area. The stars were bright and sparkling above in the night sky. If only our kingdom was like that, but it wasn't. At least not for my brother and me anyway.

I couldn't fail this mission. If I did, Shiki would die. I couldn't let that happen. If only he was the first child...everything would've been much better.

~After washing up~

The fish tickled my feet as they swam past. The cool breeze felt good against my skin. This was amazing compared to life in the castle.

Kirito's POV

I watched as (Y/n) dipped her feet into the water. She definitely looked much better than when she was in the palace.

I couldn't help but smile. At least she was free for the time being. *sigh* As for me, I couldn't avoid them forever. They were forcing me to have an arranged marriage. I hated it when you had to do something that you refused to do. I wanted to choose my own bride... If that arranged marriage was just for the family then I'd resist even more. Everything I wanted didn't matter to them...

"Kirito, is something wrong? You've been standing there for a while," exclaimed (Y/n).
"Oh, no. I'm fine, just came to check on you. The fish is ready."

She nodded and headed back with me. Luckily the walk back wasn't awkward.

But I do wonder where my friends were. I could introduce them to (Y/n). From the looks of it, it seemed that she didn't have any friends. It must've been lonely.

"This is good. I never knew you could cook," she commented.
"Thanks, I taught myself."
"Do you usually travel by yourself?"
"Yeah, I've travelled to many places."

Suddenly, straight after we finished eating the fish, rain drops fell from the sky. Thunder and lightning could be seen and heard from a distance.
(Y/n) immediately jumped and dropped the apple she was eating.

"Are you scared of thunder?"

A dark shadow fell over her face. It seemed as if something happened in her past.

"It's nothing you need to know about," she replied before going into her tent.

*sigh* After tidying up, I went into my tent. She was way too cautious of everything.

(Y/n)'s POV

~Flashback~

Boom! The sound of the thunder filled the entire forest as I was left in a little cave. The shadows seemed as if they were alive and ready to eat me.

Someone...please help me...

My father had left me here so that I would grow stronger. But it just caused me to realise what I was afraid of. Being left alone at such a young age (8) to fend for myself...

The loud thunder and frightening lightning wouldn't stop and my shivers just increased with every strike of lightning.

Some rustles in the bushes caused me to hide in the corner of the cave, afraid that something would jump out.

I-I'm scared...

~The next day~

"(Y/n), you have failed to survive the night without cowering in fear. I'm very disappointed in you," father exclaimed.
"I'm sorry."
"*sigh* Why did I give birth to such a weak daughter? She'll never become the chosen one in this state," mother added.

I'm sorry...

~Flashback end~

Tears threatened to fall out as I wrapped the blanket around me. Tch, why did I show fear in front of someone? I shouldn't have shown him that I was so weak. It was completely unnecessary...but also something I couldn't control well.

Thunder and lightning was my worst fear. I had a terrible phobia of them because of that night. My father caused this. Instead of growing stronger, I was left with a deep scar. It was something I could not forget. That was why I couldn't let the same thing happen to my brother.

"Hey (Y/n), may I come in?" asked Kirito.
"Yeah, sure."

I quickly wiped the tears away before he came in.

"When the rain stopped, I warmed up some water by the fire and made hot cocoa," he said with a smile.
"Thank you."

I took the cup and sipped some of the drink. It was delicious! I've never tasted something with so much flavour... All the food at the palace either tasted plain or looked too fancy.

"Why did you agree to become a knight for my parents?"
"It seemed fun, and I had nothing else to do," he replied while slowly drinking the cocoa.
"I see..."
"Why? You seem kinda depressed."
"No, it's nothing."

I kept staring at the drink. Every time I moved the cup, the liquid rippled. It couldn't stay still. I sometimes wish I could do that. Being so rebellious and doing what you wanted...being free from everything.

"(Y/n)."
"Yeah?"

I turned my head to look at him but he just poked my cheek. I sweatdropped while he laughed.

"You know...you should laugh more. Stop being so gloomy, it's not going to help in any way," he exclaimed.
"There's nothing to laugh at."
"Of course there is, there's lots of fun things you could do with your friends."
"I don't have what you call 'friends'. I have followers and maids."
"I'm your friend, aren't I? I'll help you meet new people who won't see you as a princess but as a normal person."
"A...normal person?"

He nodded happily and grinned. A normal person...I've always wanted to be free.

"Don't think about anything too much, get some sleep."

Before I could say anything, he took both cups and left. Why was he doing this for me?...