Chapter 93 - Lipstick

Their conversation fell short when they hear rushing footsteps, and they glanced over to see a frantic-looking foot soldier, "Sir Rhys, Yuzuhara lost you should hurry and get ready," her eyes widened at the information from the solider.

How is that possible? Lyn had yet to meet the other members of the Sound Kingdom group, but Kazuya gave her a brief profile of everyone. Does Prince Ereland have somebody strong on his side? Other than his head knight? The people he brought over at the castle a long time ago were fools. Eldest Brother always said to her that 'the people who you are with define who you are,' though Lyn never believed in the saying. Lyn herself could tell that the people with Prince Ereland were no threat.

Rhys nodded, "You can go now. I'll get ready real quick."

The foot soldier leaves, and Lyn grabbed hold of his sleeve, a distressed look appeared on her face, "Rhys you can't!"

"I have to."

"But if you were defeated. We would lose the entire match, don't forget what Kazuya agreed to those people," Lyn exclaimed. ' I'll give up my title.' She really should have persuaded him out of it. But, he didn't hide the letter from her. Yes, the rest of the contents of that letter said that Kazuya has to give up his title as ambassador.

"But talking now is useless we don't have time. There's nobody else left."

Nobody else…

Indeed, she cannot get one of her own guards to go, because she didn't bring them with her. If she knew this would have happened, then Lyn would have brought them along.

Lyn clenched her fist, 'Is there nothing she can do?' Lyn thought. No, there is somebody else left. Her, Lyn reached over and grabbed his arm, "Wait, let me go instead!"

Rhys turned to her with shocked eyes, "Lyn, what are you saying? Are you mad?"

"Rhys, please let me try!"

"Do you think you can win?"

"I'm not sure." She doesn't have any confidence judging the state she has been recently, "But your hand is injured, and I don't want it to get worst to the point it becomes irreversible," before Lyn could take the helmet from him, Rhys pulled her into his arms.

He gently cupped her cheek and before Lyn could process what was going on. Rhys lips were on hers again. It felt like a battle of dominance when he pried her mouth open; she tried to resist as best as she could. But Rhys was used to this and quickly fought back. His tongue in hers, no matter how many times he does it, Lyn could never get used to it. After a few minutes had passed, Rhys finally let go.

"R--Rhys, you idiot," Lyn stammered. Why does he just kiss her out of the blue? How can she prepare herself if he does it so randomly? It's unfair!

Rhys smiled, "I'll be fine," he reached over and ran his hand through her hair. It felt strange; there was something gentle about the way he patted her hair, "See you, Lyn."

.....

Rhys was just fine, surprisingly enough. Though there were times during the match where Lyn was tempted to go down and stop him. But each time she thought that he did something that surprised her. That idiot, making her worry for no apparent reason. It turned out that while they injured his other arm, the other one was just fine and Rhys could wield his spear with the other just fine. Lyn recalled the kiss from earlier and deeply sighed. How many times does this make this already? She needs to protect her lips; if she can't talk him out of it, this is the only way.

After debating about it, Lyn figured that she might as well help tend to his wounds again. Sitting by herself in that fancy seating area made her feel restless. She would rather deal with Rhys annoying marks, then be put on display for the world to see.

"Rhys," Lyn called out. Rhys was in the middle of speaking with the other contestants. For people who were looking at Rhys and Kazuya with disgust in their eyes before, they've completely done a 360°c and changed their personality.

"Hmm? Need me for something?"

The guys were looking at her curiously, but nobody said a word.

"Arm."

Rhys laughed, "You're too overprotective, shouldn't you wish Kazuya good luck?"

"Kazuya isn't wounded, you are," Lyn pointed out. But it's true; she wants to rush to Kazuya's side as soon as possible. Rhys must have understood that since he suddenly sent the other people away. He pointed to some benches in the corner, and they made their way over.

Lyn took out some supplies from the box in her hands, and Rhys extended his arms out. She evaded her gaze from his exposed muscular chest and focused on the injury on his hand. As she applied the ointment, Lyn questioned, 'He really is a fool, how many times does she have to patch up the same injury over and over?' in her head. It's painful for her to keep doing this.

"Your lips," Rhys spoke up as he broke the silence.

"Um?" Lyn said puzzled, as she cut the bandage with the scissors and wrapped it around the wound.

"I bit you earlier when I kissed you," Lyn immediately took out a mirror to confirm Rhys words. She spotted it, a large mark between her top and lower lip.

"Nobody noticed yet, but they will soon. So that's why I was asking you about lipstick."

"I don't have any."

"Borrow this," Rhys took out a lipstick from his pocket. Lyn looked at it with wide eyes.

And he carries that around with him, why? Then again, Kazuya did say that Rhys has something going on with another woman.

Oh, it's a pretty color. Lyn seldom wore makeup, since it supposedly made her stand out. A pretty red, Rhys smiled, "Like it?"

Lyn nodded dumbly, "Ah-huh, it's pretty," she's never seen anything like it before, "From your girlfriend?"

Rhys sighed and shook his head, "No, this used to belong to my mother."

Rhys mother, it's hard to believe this guy has a family with his behavior. Huh, wait? Did Rhys just say, 'used to,' Lyn looked down at her feet. So, that's it. Rhys lost his Mother at a young age. It's not like she can't relate, while her Mother is still alive. But she did lose somebody vital to her.

Her gaze fell on the lipstick in her hands as she examined it once again.

A bright red, just like the color of autumn maple leaves.

Now that Lyn looked at closely, she could see that the lipstick was brand new. He has no reason to lie to her though, so perhaps this was a gift he could never give his Mother. Rhys reached over and took it from her hands, "Let me help you apply it."

"I can do it myself."

Rhys, however, didn't listen to her and reached over to apply the lipstick on her lips. It felt strange to her; she's never used lipstick before. Rhys brushed his free fingers on her lips, and she shuddered, "This does suit you, maybe I'll give it to you."