Chapter 517 - The Rain Kingdom Tragedy

It is almost like fate likes to play games with them. What kind of situation is this? Due to the sudden heavy downpour the two of them had to take shelter in a nearby cave, that isn't the issue however. He awkwardly stole glances at the girl only covered with a blank across her shoulders. Their soaked clothes hung on a makeshift rack by the small camp fire he made. If she stayed in her clothes she would catch a cold so this was the only thing he could come up with.

This situation is so bad right now, seeing her skin like this- Rhys averted his gaze. Dont do anything stupid. He can't take advantage of her when she is still feeling weak. The downpour happened right as they finished that conversation.

He knew he ought to look away from her and stay as far as possible but his gaze fell on the mark on the girl's body. That curse mark others have shunned her for since she was younger. This was one of the things that made him interested in the mission regarding Lyn.

That mark he has never seen it before, not in this life or the past one. The dark arts evolve overtime even though the amount of people who use it are small now. It is still magic that exists so it will evolve. The mark Lyn has is surely connected with dark magic but there is something else too. If it were simplu dark magic then he would have figured out what it was exactly.

Moreover why does it seem like that mark is becoming more visible these days? It is strange. But Lyn seems much better recently so he has not had the proper chance to look.

"Are you tired?" Rhys asked the silent girl. For the past few minutes she has not said a word.

Lyn did not reply, she appeared absent minded but suddenly extended her hand out before mumbling softly. "Rhys you are too far away."

This girl keeps rendering him speechless. But when he saw the look in her eyes he knew he had no choice. Rhys walked over to her and right as he was in front of her she flung herself into his arms. She held him tightly. Lyns skin was barely covered by his shawl so he felt everything. Her soft body pressed against his.

So dangerous, does she not understand or does he need to explain this? Rhys did not ponder on this thought for long since Lyn suddenly spoke up.

"You sure you dont want to take me away?"

Even though she mentioned this earlier he still froze up. Why does she keep repeating this?

He cant risk it. Penelopes vision aside, he does not want to do anything that will trigger that time bomb of a Queen. Queen Orthez is so overprotective of Lyn - there is no escaping her gaze. Sometimes Rhys would think what would Kazuya do in this situation? But then he would realize it was stupid thinking such things.

Kazuya would just take her away he would not hesitate at all.

Lyn pulled away from him and stood up. "I think I should go."

Rhys sighed and he grabbed her wrist preventing her from leaving. "Don't sulk about this, you know how I feel." He repeatedly brought up taking her away before. He even said it when she was still with Kazuya and when they first met too.

He told her to use her as a shield. But Lyn never replied to him. To think that the day would come where she is the one telling him these things.

"I know." Lyn nodded. "But I end up frustrated. Whether it is you or Kazuya you keep dodging the issue."

"I didn't intend for it to be that way." Rhys trailed of. "Do you really want to learn about me?"

"Yes."

A single word with no hesitation and that strong gaze in her eyes. He is bad with people like Lyn. Rhys knew that from reading the reports about her let alone getting to know her.

Rhys turned around so his back was facing her. "This tattoo is a symbol from my original birth place."

"A water drag--" Lyns eyes widened. "Your from the rain Kingdom….no one of the Princes?" She immediately connected the dots and he chuckled.

"Smart girl."

"The rain Kingdom princes tragedy, Rhys you survived?"

A bitter smile appeared on his face. "It seems you know that story too."

The Rain Kingdom prince tragedy happened when he was a child. To think those peaceful days in the palace would end up covered in blood. Shortly after the death of Queen Orthez first husband, a disturbance occurred in the Rain Kingdom causing friction among the Princes. But even then the brothers who were closely knit tried to stay together knowing what would happen if they did not get along. Their fractions would use this chance so they would fight among themselves. But there was one Prince who did not have any desire to be part of this close knit group.

The fourth Prince of the Rain Kingdom Kain started a revolt that lead to the death of the first three princes and the sixth prince. The only survivour that day was the fifth prince who was away on an expedition with his master. That fifth prince was him.

"They said...the brothers fought among themselves and killed each other." Lyn spoke carefully. "But Rhys that story…"

"It isn't true. There were indeed signs of fighting and struggling between my brothers. But there was dark magic involved. Somebody cast a spell strong enough to make them fight against each other." He clenched his fist when he recalled the state of the bodies. His brothers were under a strong spell and yet they tried not to harm each other. "They didnt want to be controlled by the spell anymore so they committed suicide instead."

To the very end they tried to protect each other. It upset all the factions, who naturally wanted the usual fighting amongst siblings in the royal family. When he saw the bodies he understood even before he conducted a proper analysis.

Even now he still did not understand. Why did such good people have to die? Why did such good people who could change the Empire and contribute to making it a better place change? Why them and not those who are greedy and would do anything to stand at the top? Why? Why?

Ever since he remembered everything Rhys repeatedly asked that question. It does not make sense. If there is a god out there why is he so cruel?