Chapter 302 - I will find out the truth

It was clear that his answer did not satisfy Calton since a dark aura surrounded him. "Are you serious, Arthur? Do you not remember what our mission is? You're the one who wanted to look for her, you defied the King's orders so many times, remember how many times you were punished? Do you remember the pain and anguish we faced that day? Are you really going to throw everything away?" his friend was getting very emotional. His face had turned red due to anger.

"Calton," Arthur spoke slowly. "I have my reasons."

"I know already, because of that girl? Arthur, don't be stupid. She is the sister of the man who almost killed you."

"Prince Andrew is virtuous man, he would not have attacked me unless he was sure of the facts," Arthur recalled what Prince Ralph told him. It seemed like Lyn was driven out of the castle and had to seek shelter here because a riot broke out. At first, Arthur felt bitter about being ambushed. Why? Why? Why? Why did they get attacked? But, after he heard the story, he changed his mind. "I don't think he is unreasonable. If I gather evidence that it isn't me and show him.."

At that comment, Calton burst into maniac laughter, "You really are foolish, aren't you Arthur? Prince Andrew? I saw that man a few days ago, and you know what he did to me?" Calton tore off his sleeves, and Arthur's eyes widened when he saw the wound. It was horrific, Caltons arm looked like it would fall apart. It was so severely disfigured.

Sanford, who kept quiet this entire time, spoke up, "You.."

"You see? He did this to me. I came to meet him to beg for a reason, to re-investigate. But he did not want that. He did not let me speak, he just attacked me. He kept injuring me until I was like this, whenever I mustered the strength to get up, he would keep attacking. Then he left me half dead, he told me to tell you that he would never forgive you."

From the pain and hatred in Caltons eyes, Arthur knew his friend was telling the truth. This person, his companion who has always been calm and collected. Right now, he looks like a maniac. "Since you won't listen to me, then I will just end your life here."

Before Calton could get remotely close to him, though, a pair of scrolls appeared and wrapped around Calton. Arthur looked over and spotted the young boy named Rhys. Ah, so he is a spell caster, somebody who uses traditional magic.

"-- go... Let me go," Calton growled.

"Unfortunately, you are making too much noise. I'd rather kill you myself, but I do not want to dirty my hands right now. Begone," Rhys said dangerously. A bright light surrounded Calton, and in seconds Calton vanished.

Sanford was crying, and Arthur sighed. "He will return to normal, don't worry." Right now, Calton is just blinded by hate." Calton is just acting in the same way he did when Prince Andrew attacked him.

"No, that isn't it. Why is that kid so powerful? He's younger than me."

Arthur rolled his eyes, geez. But Sanford makes a point there, he looked over at Rhys, who was calmly picking up the scrolls from the ground.

"By the way, you guys really are loud. You woke her up."

At that comment, his eyes widened, and he immediately bolted out the room. He rushed up the stairs and saw her small back heading up. Arthur immediately hugged the girl from the back. "Little Lyn, wait."

"No!" Lyn snapped and broke free. But Arthur turned her around and brought his lips to her hair. "Your so unfair, Arthur…"

"Im sorry, I should have told you before."

"My big brother, he..he isn't that ruthless. He wouldn't do that."

Arthur nodded. "It seemed strange to me too. While your brother did injure me, we had a proper fight. He did not strike me as the type who would strike an opponent when they are down."

Lyn was examining his arm, and his face, and Arthur laughed, "My injuries are getting better."

"Brother is really strong, but you managed to hurt him, right?"

Arthur blinked, surprised at the girl's words. This is a bit surprising, he thought she would continue insisting her brother is innocent. "Shouldn't you be worried?"

"I am. I saw his injuries," Lyn trailed off. "But my big brother is very strong, cool, and handsome. He can withstand anything. Arthur, you're the same, too, but I still don't like the idea of anybody close to me getting hurt."

"I know, that's understandable," Arthur stopped speaking when he saw how badly Lyn was crying. He held the girl tightly in his arms. Poor child. She doesn't want to choose between her brother and him. Arthur thought that if Lyn figured out the truth, then she would choose her brother's side.

But, instead of looking at him with eyes of resentment. She is even crying for his sake.

…..

Lyn was still trembling, so he kept the girl on his lap. "I'm very sorry," Lyn apologized.

"Sorry?"

"If I didn't tell you I was lonely, you wouldn't stay here. You even argued with your friend."

Arthur shook his head, "Don't worry about it. It was worth it. I figured something out."

"Something?"

"That's a secret for now," he patted her hair. "Sorry for waking you."

"I couldn't sleep anyway," Lyn peered at him. "Arthur, your people are the ones my brother is fighting with?"

"That's right."

"The castle…"

Arthur sighed, "Honestly, I don't know what happened that night either. But Lyn, I can reassure you that I will find out. I will find out the truth of what happened that night."

"Arthur, you don't have to push yourself."

Geez, she is still being understanding now of all times?

"I'm not pushing myself."

Lyn looked at him with a doubtful look in her eyes. "Really?" she pressed her hand on his shoulder, and Arthur flinched. "You're not?" she repeated.

His sweat fell, this girl is amazing after all. "Well, okay, my injuries do hurt," Arthur admitted. "But it's nothing to worry about."

"But you're in pain."

"It's fine; getting injuries isn't unusual in the Empire."

Indeed, people get hurt every day, whether it is for something significant like falling over to wounds from a brawl, or scars from a battlefield. Still, he did understand Lyn's concern, Arthur saw Lyns expression. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and Lyn looked at him, puzzled. But she laughed softly, "Arthur?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

He will protect her and learn the truth.