Chapter 18 - Growing Interest

"Ouch," Lyn cried. It was clear the girl held back her tears despite the pained expression on her face.

Rhys found this amusing; however, most girls her age would have overreacted over a simple bruise. But here was Lyn trying to act strong when she received an actual serious injury. He frowned, even if he stuck close by her today. She won't be able to walk around much with this leg. Maybe he ought to leave her again for a bit? She has healing powers, doesn't she?

Rhys recalled the Old Geezers words, 'They hide it quite well, they don't even use it amongst themselves.' Rhys thought that was stupid, if somebody has a healing power why wouldn't they use it? His gaze landed on the girl, and he stared at her, really stared for a long time. Lyn desperately held her tears back.

Despite this though there was something elegant about the girl's mannerism.

She's prettier than the photo. Initially, when the plan started. Rhys was the one who was meant to seduce her. This was two years ago; he spent the last two years learning more about the hidden Princess named Lyn. However, two months ago, they passed the mission on to Kazuya. Nobody dares to question the head elders' decision, not even him. So Rhys wasted two whole years of his life focusing on this woman, but in the end, they pushed him to the sidelines. It was laughable indeed.

"Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes?"

Rhys took a deep breath, "Correct me if I'm wrong. But do you really want to be a Princess?" He based this question on the research, and the stuff Kazuya recently told them. "I mean, if you wanted to, you have every right to ask your Mother to reveal your identity. You don't even have to ask her; there's the Mist Kingdom Elder council. You have the legit blood of the royal family, so nobody has the right to deny you."

Lyn laughed, "What an unexpected question, let's see now. Rhys, do you know why they detain me?"

"Because of your birthmark?"

"Yes," Lyn trailed off, and looked up at the sky, "This is something that's kept hidden. But since you asked me so straightforwardly, a question nobody has thought to ask before. I'll explain it. You see this mark; it is a curse. It seems like I'm able to estimate somebody's death with this mark."

Estimate death? Is it similar to his power? No, he can't predict the future. His power tends to bring death; it's challenging to gain an estimate of a person's death since the circ.u.mstances can change at any time.

"Is that all?"

Lyn paused but shook her head, "Kazuya told me recently my magic abilities are dark magic; after that, I did some research and tried a few things out..." Lyn trailed off and looked around, "Um, nobody else is around?"

"Yeah."

Or rather is she this naive? Why is she showing somebody she just met her powers? Rhys examined her expression. This woman isn't innocent; she knows more than she let's out, Lyn nodded. He watched as she closed her eyes and a stream of black energy emerged from her palm.

Soon a sword cloaked in dark clouds and shaped like smoke from the hilt to the blade appeared. Judging from the way Lyn held it, just forming it was difficult. When she finally stabilized it, it took a good few minutes, and she raised it in the air to show him a few attacks.

After watching for a few minutes Rhys more or less understood, so it's like this. He thinks he gets it, Rhys walked over and wrapped his arms around the girl from the back startling her. The girl almost dropped her blade, but he grabbed hold of her hand, "Do you want me to train you?"

"Ah?"

"I don't think you have anybody in the Mist Kingdom who can help you with this kind of thing."

Lyn looked back at him, "You can help me?"

"Well, I'll see what I can do."

It's something Kazuya doesn't know about regarding his skills in magic. Rhys didn't intentionally hide it, but it's not something he can openly say. The head Elder in the Sound Kingdom instructed him no matter what he does to keep it a secret. Honestly, he shouldn't show the little Princess here. But, she will cause more harm than protect anyone with the way she held that sword just now. Besides, if all goes well with the plan, they can manipulate Princess Lyn.

Noticing he was still holding on to her, Rhys let go, and the girl dispelled her sword. It seems like she can summon and get rid of it at will though.

Just as he was about to suggest to head back inside, a voice called out to him, "Oh? Isn't this Rhys?"

He looked up to see a person, or rather a group of people. They were a rowdy bunch which he got to know the last few weeks, during the start of his stay here. Of course, they'd exploit the chance to enter the castle; these people are planning to steal something valuable here and sell it. Rhys knew all their plans, but with him executing his own plan, he couldn't exactly talk them out of it.

"Chris," Rhys greeted. Chris was the leader of this particular group, a woman with a rather alluring aura named Esta clung to him. But the moment she saw him, the woman walked over and clung to his arm instead.

"Rhys, come play with me instead. Chris is boring, he hardly paid attention to me earlier." Esta complained.

"Sorry, I'm in the middle of work."

Chris laughed, "See? I knew he would turn you away. Rhys is some big shot here."

"Ehhh, then let's go to your room and relax."

Rhys recalled the Princess and looked over, she just stood there silently and watched with curious eyes. She probably thinks they are friends or something. Naive, but then again Rhys supposes it would look like that to anyone.

"Wait you two, Rhys is with somebody," another guy at the front said.

Chris and Esta glanced over at Lyn; it was Chris who asked, "And who is this fine specimen?" Chris said looking Lyn up and down. It was clear the guy liked what he saw; Lyn tugged on his sleeve surprising him.

"Um, I'm cold."

Indeed, that's why he was about to suggest they head inside. Chris was still waiting for an answer, from Esta's reaction, he knew she wanted to say something harsh. Rhys pushed the woman away from him and turned to Lyn.

"Lyn."

"Ah yes--?" Rhys cut the girl's words short and kissed her. It surprised him how easy it was. Then again, it seems like Kazuya did this too. The thought irritated him, and instead of giving her a light kiss as he intended.

Rhys licked her bottom lip and pried her mouth open, the girl opened it to gasp for air, and he used that chance to stick his tongue inside. He's kissed many girls before, but there was something about this that was different. Naive and innocent, but mysterious too. She fits his requirements for his ideal girl.

...

After kissing for god knows how long, Rhys pulled away from the Princess. He kissed her to get rid of the others and sure enough at some point they left, "It's cold, let's go inside," Rhys said. It should be fine for her to enter and his gaze landed on the surroundings seeing people exit different doors. This place will get crowded soon too.

"Princess Lyn?" he called out.

Rhys looked over and noticed that she was kneeling on the ground, a puzzled look on her flushed face. He chuckled, and extended his hand out, "Need help?"

"N---no thank you."

How fun, she's easy to tease.

....

5:00 PM Mist Kingdom Main Castle

When they finally meet up with Kazuya, it's late into the night, and the plan starts in three hours. Kazuya slumped his head on Lyn's chest, "Aaahhgh. I'm tired," Kazuya complained.

Lyn stroked his hair, "Do you need something to eat Kazuya?"

"It's fine; I sent Fukami to fetch us some food. You don't want to eat in the Grand Hall right?"

The girl's eyes lit up, "Are we having a picnic somewhere?"

"I found a spot on the second floor. It should be okay."

"Okay!" Lyn chirped.

Rhys murmured, "Hmmm," he observed the scene carefully. It seems like the two are close to each other. But who knows what the future holds? The future, he recalled the kiss he shared with the girl and shook his head. Don't be a fool Rhys, that meant nothing.