Chapter 181 - The Colourless Palace

It was clear that Allen didn't expect this, since his arms wrapped around her, protectively, "Are you trying to make me sacrifice my wife for my own safety?"

"While we are at fault for what happened with Princess Lyn. Your group broke a few of our rules to bring down Prince Ereland no? I believe we have the right to negotiate."

"I wonder why I do not see the King, and why you're the one making the calls. Sir Luke, exactly what are you trying to hide?"

"I wonder myself, what do you think?"

Allen didn't bother replying and grabbed hold of her hand. He held her out of the room without a second word. Once they were further down the hallway, Allen turned to her, "Lyn, I will have to leave you here."

"You're going to listen to him?" Lyn said, surprised.

"Believe me, my dear, I do not wish to leave you in the middle of the lion's den like this. But we have no choice. That man will chase us out if we do not leave," Allen trailed off, "I shall leave in the morning."

"But, didn't he give you a few days?"

"That is just a pretense, my dear; he wants us to leave immediately. We shall make the first move, before dawn I shall leave with the others."

Allen will really leave her here alone, while Lyn understood the circ.u.mstances. It felt strange to her, is he actually going to leave her be all defenseless? While her family circ.u.mstances are unusual, Lyn knew they would get angry if she were to be left here alone. Eldest brother was already reluctant to let her come here.

"Ah, are you leaving me alone?" she may not be as complete innocent as one may think. But that did not mean she was utterly fearless.

"Not alone," Allen sighed, "Come out."

At that comment, Lyn whipped her head around and found Rhys behind her. "Ah, Rhys will stay with me?"

"Correct."

Lyn recalled what happened before, and her cheeks burned red. She quickly left Rhys side and clung to Allen's arm, "But, he's dangerous."

Rhys eyes twitched in annoyance, "Dangerous, huh?"

"Yes! You're a wolf."

Allen sighed, "I understand how you feel my dear. But, this man is the only one they will allow to remain with you."

Lyn looked at Allen puzzled, what is he talking about? Lyn knew he wouldn't give her any answers and tugged on his hand, "Then sleep with me tonight."

Rhys looked like he was fuming, but Allen calmly replied, "Do not get worked up, this is her we're speaking about."

"I know, but just hearing it makes me cringe."

"?" Lyn was very puzzled but didn't let go of Allen. Lately, they've gotten closer, right? So it's okay for her to make a request like this that sounds unreasonable.

....

Three days later, Snow Kingdom Main Palace - Frost Quarters.

Sometimes, Lyn would just lay down on the couch in the center of the room and stare at the white ceiling. This room had basic furniture, but everything was so bland. At first, Lyn didn't notice what it was since for the first day she was too tired. But during the second day, Lyn noticed how peculiar the room was. The basic furniture and yet the room had no color. To be exact, it was like somebody stripped away the color in this room. Traces of where there was color remained, a small patch of something. She would stare at the ceiling for hours, close her eyes, and then open.

Lyn would try to picture the sky or even the ceiling in her room. Only three days had passed, but Lyn noticed that she was changing. She forgot it, the color of the sky. The color of the outside world, when one looks outside all they would see is snow. Pure fresh white snow. At first, Lyn thought it was beautiful and pure. But after watching in her window for a long time, she finally understood. While snow is beautiful, in a Kingdom, a palace stripped of its color.

'How lonely,' it makes the snow dropping on the grounds look lonely. Lyn would stare outside at the unchanging scene and think back to the sweet smell of flowers, the beautiful meadows Kazuya showed her. The more time passed though; the more Lyn realized that she was slowly becoming colorless too. Over time, things changed into a pitch white world.

All the clothes they provided her would be white. They confiscated her luggage and insisted that she must follow their customs to remain here peacefully. Lyn still didn't understand exactly what was going on. But it seemed like Allen was to fetch something for them, and if he isn't successful, her life would be at stake. Lyn didn't know much about the Snow Kingdom, but their traditions were truly peculiar to her.

She has not seen the King yet either. So Lyn assumed there was something wrong. The dress she wore was beautiful, and yet the lack of color made her feel restless. It's not like this is entirely unusual for her. Before her father and brother returned, the servants treated her like live garbage. She wore torn clothes and rags. She should be grateful that this time around she is wearing actual clothes, given real food and has a nice room.

Yet staying here Lyn realized that she was going slowly crazy. It reminded her too much of her life of captivity before she slowly regained her freedom.

Lyn sat down on the white floor once again as she stared outside.

"It's all so colorless," Lyn whispered to herself. The sound of her own voice startled her. There was something odd about her voice, something different. Did she always sound like this? Lyn was no longer sure of herself.

"Everything… it's all black and white."

This place is so odd, she's only remained here for three days, and yet in those three days, Lyn learned how cold this entire place was. However, it's not like she was alone. Her gaze flickered onto the man outside who was training with the Snow Kingdom soldiers. It's colorless, and yet, maybe it's just her imagination. But she still detects traces of color around Rhys.

'Odd,' Lyn thought to herself. How come Rhys is allowed to stay with her, but Allen isn't? It struck her as odd. Considering how many demands that first Knight was making. Lyn opened the window and called out, "Rhys."

Rhys looked up, "You're awake. Do you want to eat?"

"I want to take a walk, come with me, please."

"Alright."

Since that time Rhys hadn't acted weird towards her too. Is he genuinely taking Leo's warning seriously? Whatever it is, it's good for her.

By the time Rhys arrived, she already finished getting dressed. Rhys bent down and kissed her lips lightly, surprising her, "You look good in white."

She lets down her guard for a few days, and he goes ahead and does this so easily, "I'm always wearing white, stupid," Lyn murmured. At least ever since she came here, anyway.

"That's what I'm saying; you always look good these days."

"What, so I didn't look nice before?"

"No, you did," Rhys scanned her up and down, "But, you look different like this."

"Different, how?"

Rhys brushed his fingers across her lips, "Do you really want me to tell you?"