Chapter 207 - Secrets Buried in Scarlett

Princess Eva greeting turned from extravagant to hostile in a second. The woman clearly didn't expect her to appear with the other Knights. She seemed cautious to let them inside, but the other woman Martha told her to let them in. The Princess was speaking about diplomatic affairs with Rhys and Kazuya. While she may have learned a great deal, her information was still outdated in contrast to the rest. Not wanting to embarrass them, Lyn said she would take a tour around the mansion. This place is relatively large; unlike the hideout, one can tell this is a place fit for royalty.

The reason why Princess Eva brought them here today. No matter how much Lyn racked her head to think about it, she couldn't come up with anything. Maybe the Princess will disclose the story why she's so cautious towards the King?

Now that she thought about it, that person disappeared. Eva seemed more relaxed when he was gone too. Is there something about that Knight named Reiji?

Lyn had only walked around for a few minutes when she eventually found the missing Knight. In a secluded area, there was a single room. Curious Lyn opened the door and saw him laying down on the platform.

Ah, it's him. Lyn looked around, 'what is he doing sleeping here?' Maybe he's tired. He was yawning the entire time. Lyn didn't know about his Knight rank, but it seemed like all the Knights are worked very hard. Lyn has seen little of her Mother's knights, or the inner workings of the castle so she couldn't judge. Kazuya is only an ambassador, but he always looks exhausted, let alone an actual knight.

"What do you want?"

Woah- when did he wake up? Wasn't he just sleeping peacefully a few minutes ago? Lyn coughed, "I didn't want to disturb, so I decided to walk around."

"If that's all you can go elsewhere. Don't make too much noise when I'm trying to sleep."

What a rude person, though maybe he is just worn out. Lyn stood up, guess she should just go back. If she wanders too far, Kazuya would worry about her and even that person.

"Did you get injured?"

Lyn looked back confused, wasn't he going to sleep, why is he t-- her sentence fell short when she realized that he was behind her? So fast! When did he stand up?

The girl looked down at him, confused and unsure of what to say.

"You're turning red, you know." His smile widened, and the glow in his eyes intensified.

"I-I don't understand," Lyn averted her gaze onto the ground. What is he trying to do?

Before she could stop him, Reiji had grabbed hold of her wrist and pushed her towards the wall. His hand moved to the back of her neck, grabbing her hair in the process as he drew her closer to him.

Causing her head to tilt back, exposing her neck. "It's so pale…" Reiji whispered, "I wonder what would happen if I bite it."

Wait; what? Bite it?

Before Lyn could even react, Azuma had already bit into her neck. It caused her head to spin but not from lack of blood. There was something there, something she never felt before. Desire, longing, and.... Lyn tightened her hold at his shirt as she groaned.

"Your blood is so hot, so delicious. I can understand now why the King told us to keep an eye out on you. Your only use is to be our meal."

Ah, this feeling is the same as that time. That fear and pain she felt, she won't allow that to happen again. Lyn pulled out her knife from her sash, and in the next second, she cut his cheek, causing him to drawback.

Reiji frowned and took a few steps forward.

'Here, he comes again.'

To her surprise, Reiji suddenly pulled back and sighed, "Hey, aren't you the same type as us?"

"What do you mean us?"

"I'm talking about the rest of the Snow Kingdom knights, no those who work in the castle eventually end up in this state," he pointed to his sharp teeth. "We crave for blood, and if we don't drink it, we experience pain and fever for days."

Did he just reveal the Knights secret just like that?

"Don't look at me like that, do you think I would have told you if you weren't the same?"

The same, her? She indeed had similar cravings before. But after that one time, no such thing has happened. How could they be the same?

"Why aren't you getting up? If somebody sees you like that, they'll think I did something."

But he just did.

"You cut me; you actually have a talent with the blade "

Talent?

Reiji made his way over, "You have two choices, get on my back, or I'll carry you."

Why are her options so limited? Lyn sighed, well she supposes she had no choice. If she stayed here like this, people would certainly get the wrong idea.

…

"Stay here," Reiji said, "I'll look around for some medicine," with those words said he swiftly left the room.

This guy, he seems to be quite familiar with this place. Even without looking at the map, he knew where to go too. Princess Eva's strange reaction... Ah, Lyn chuckled. Maybe, these two are old sweethearts? That would be cute if that were the case. Still, if it is a story like that, then the current situation would end up as a tragedy.

The room Reiji brought her too seemed to be in a remote area of the mansion. At some point, she stopped seeing any of the servants.

Lyn hummed the song from the other day before she started to sing it again. The lyrics to the song made her feel at ease. It truly reminded her of Kazuya and herself. That's an embarrassing thought though, she better keep that to herself and not tell him. If Kazuya knew what she really thought if he knew how attached she was, would he get put off?

"For a plain Princess, you sure have a nice voice."

Lyn immediately covered herself with the blanket. It was a natural instinct whenever somebody snuck up on her, to hide.

Reiji sighed, "What are you doing?"

Oh, right, she almost forgot about him.

"I found some medicine and let me clean your wound while I'm at it."

Wound? Lyn recalled how Reiji bit her neck and immediately placed her hand there. "I can do it myself."

"And you're covered in scratches and bruises too. Aren't they taking care of you?"

Lyn frowned at his words, "You know nothing, so don't talk."

"Fine, fine, let me see your leg first."

She wanted to get away from him. But, it's true she still has injuries from yesterday. Though Rhys treated them to a certain extent, not completely since Kazuya was tired and took her away, if Reiji didn't mention it, Lyn would have forgotten about her wounds.

"You said I'm the same as you, but I really don't think you should tell that secret to just anybody," Lyn trailed off. Reiji basically admitted to her that everybody working in the castle are blood-sucking individuals.

"What's wrong with it? Everybody knows."

"Everybody?"

"The townspeople," Reiji corrected as he dabbed the cotton bud onto her wound.

"They know the truth?"

"Why do you think there is fear everywhere? They all know."

So the reason why the atmosphere is that tense is because of this. Lyn supposed it was only natural. If people learned of such a thing, something that steps out of the boundaries of the norm then...

"Princess Lyn. Nobody knows about you other than that guy, right?"

"That guy?"

"The one with the slanted eyes."

"Rhys?"

"Did you just say, Rhys?"

Lyn nodded, and Reiji laughed. His laugh, however, seemed sinister, and she flinched slightly. Is this man dangerous, after all? Should she not have come here with him?

"I see, no wonder you know nothing. Why would he tell you?" Reiji said.

"What do you mean?"