Princess Lyn: Fleeting Dreams Chapter 76

The question startled him . He wasn't expecting such a blunt question, and while Rhys knew he was growing soft because of her . The last thing he needed though was for other people to know that . It's bad enough that Kazuya is love struck twenty-four-seven . "Calm down," he muttered quietly . Thankfully Kazuya wasn't prying more and seemed to end it at that . But the damage had been done already .

He has to be the calm and rational one; otherwise they would have to abort the mission . As these thoughts ran through his mind, he suddenly hears a scream . Not just any cry, it came from the female side of the baths . His eyes widened in alarm, recognizing that voice, 'Lyn!!'

Kazuya had already gotten to his feet .

Rhys called out, "Find the innkeeper," to Kazuya before he headed in the direction of the sound . Once he was outside, Rhys cursed it would be easier if he broke the wall . Ignoring the looks of the females about to enter the baths, he made his way inside the female baths .

It was quiet, so Rhys assumed Lyn was already done taking her bath . But it was weird that he didn't hear her footsteps .

"Rhys?" he turned the doorknob and opened the door to reveal the place filled in steam . "Hey, monkey! Did the shower eat you?"

The moment he entered, steam-filled his vision . It's a bath with steaming water, that was only natural . But Rhys immediately felt something was wrong and pulled out a brush from his bag . Sure enough, no sooner had he done, so he sees small creatures forming in the smoke . 'Snow Wolves,' huh? Indeed, with them practically on Snow Kingdom grounds . It's only natural to see this sight .

Rhys scanned the place and saw a female figure crouched in a ball shape, as she hugged her body with her hands . Rhys slowly made his way over before he bent down and softly called out, "Lyn?"

"Stay aw-," her sentence fell short when she saw him, "Rhys . "

He quickly pulled her to her feet, "What's wrong? What--," he paused when he caught a glimpse of the girls exposed skin . On the right-hand side of her shoulder, there was a mark, vines, and a single petal . Rhys frowned when he recognized it, he looked towards her hand and saw that the mark there had stretched outwards . 'So, it's time,' it shouldn't surprise him too much . Ever since he was briefed on this situation, Rhys knew it would happen, eventually . But this is too soon .

Rhys scanned the room; there were no traces of the wolves from earlier and yet he didn't let his guard down . But first thing is; first, he turned to the weak girl, she could barely stand up .

"W-what…"

Rhys placed a hand on Lyn's forehead, Rhys felt his hands grow hot, and he cursed, "Damn," she really is sick, "You're burning!"

Lyn tilted her head confused, "Huh? I'm on fire?"

Rhys rolled his eyes, why is she being oblivious now of all times? "Let me take you away from here . "

"No wait," Lyn tried to stand up, and she managed to succeed . But, Rhys could see her struggle, "I can walk," it was a lie - indeed no sooner as she said that Lyn stumbled forward . But before she could hit the ground, Rhys grabbed her arm and carried her in his arms .

"Shut up," he scolded, "You're so stubborn . You never listen to what I say," if Lyn were just an obedient woman though . He most likely wouldn't have fallen for her in the first place . Rhys wrapped his cloak around her bare frame, "Hold on tightly to me . "

"Rhys, where's Kazuya? Kazuya?" the girl's voice was weak and devoid of complete strength .

"Gone to a catch the culprit, hold on to me . "

The ground is probably filled with traps; the only reason he got across just now was because of his speed . He is probably just acting too cautious, but there is nothing wrong with that . The First Princess is out to kill her sister, regardless of time and place too . What bothers him, though is the timing . There are many other inn's in this area, how come . Something else came to mind . Could it be, the First Princess caused the rain?

. . . . .

A few hours later, a corner in the inn

"Spill, who gave you this bottle?" The bottle in his hands was reasonably small, but because of the magical properties involved, it was enough to trigger Lyn's mark . Rhys knew about the existence of the bottle; of course, there are plenty more like this . He has one too, but this isn't his . The requirements for this to take affect is somebody pouring it inside the bath two hours prior .

The two of them were still in the road then, so somebody must have known they'd come here and set it all up . The First Princess is around like he thought earlier she must have known they would arrive .

"P—P—rincess Lethia," the man stammered .

Did she give it in person? How unusual of her, usually that woman would be more cautious .

"Why?"

""That woman is an imposter and trying to take the throne,'" the man stuttered .

An imposter? Lyn? Rhys frowned, that must be a lie, right? He heard that Princess Lethia was present during the time Queen Orthez gave birth to Lyn . Is it just a lie, to make people misunderstand? But the First Princess wouldn't do that since it means exposing the identity of another Princess .

"And? Where exactly did you receive these orders? And medicine? Did she come here personally?"

"No, she asked to meet me in a place not too far from here, that place is---," the man's words fell short . Rhys reacted too slowly when he turned around to see a shadow on the second floor . A massive sense of blood lust, "Gaghhjhhhhhhh ughhhh," a voice from beside him screamed .

Tsk, Rhys glanced over and saw the innkeeper he had been speaking with had a huge arrow in his chest . Rhys didn't bother checking whether he was dead and chased after the man on the second floor .

Rhys didn't bother going to the second floor, knowing full well that the man would have escaped by now . An irritated sigh passed his lips, 'What an annoying situation,' Rhys thought . Isn't it bad enough that Lyn and Kazuya are sharing a room with each other — Rhys quickly shook his head when he realized how petty that sounded? When Rhys caught up with the man though, it was over before he could do anything .

An arrow pierced through the air, and bam the 'assassin' got hit . There stood in the doorway was a frail-looking Lyn; she must have heard the commotion . Because of the girl's attack, the cloaked man fell on the ground .

'Pretty smooth,' Rhys thought . His lips curve to a smile; it seems like all that teaching didn't go to waste after all . Then again, he always knew she had such an ability . This girl is filled with surprises .

Chapter end