Chapter 531 - The Lost Prince Part 2

"Except the little one."

Rhys' gaze dimmed when he heard that line but he snapped out of it. The fact that so many survived when they should be dead is a miracle enough. A part of his mind still felt so much self hate and loathed the world. A child that was younger than him did not survive that horrific incident, a child who was not even five years old. If anybody had to die it should have been those older.

He did not have to look at Isakis' expression. They probably think the same way too, they would have traded their own lives with the younger one.

His thoughts broke off when he saw Lyn stagger and grabbed hold of her arm. Right she was unwell. "Shall I take you to your room? I think you need more rest."

"I'm okay. Besides I want to extend my greetings too." Lyn turned to his brother. "It's nice to meet you, Im…"

"Little Lyn?" Isaki mumbled.

Lyn looked at her brother puzzled.

Isaki however calmly took something out of his pouch, it was a gorgeous pendant with a huge sapphire stone engraved in the center. "This is a pendant infused with magic. At the time I used it and saved everybody. I managed to create an illusion based on what was supposed to happen. It was risky since I had to use a magic source that was not my own but for some reason I was compatible."

Of course, normally it would be risky but Lyn got along well with Isaki, so that most likely negated the usual side effects. But Lyn's magic? Back then the girl used magic for the strangest things like walking. She had no control of it whatsoever so it's strange that she could infuse it in a stone like this.

Lyn carefully examined the pendant. "This is indeed mine." She confirmed and paused for a moment. "If this saved you then I must gave given it to you when I was a child. But I don't recall that."

Isaki blinked then a knowing ah escaped his lips. He turned to him. "She still doesn't remember?"

"No."

At first when he met her he was unsure too. Sure when he saved her that time with master he recognized her since his memories gradually returned. But even then he was unsure about it, because she was different.

"Rhys?" Lyn was looking at him for answers and he took a deep breath. 

He erased the idea of telling her a long time ago, around the time she got together with Kazuya. If the two remained a couple he would not say it since he did not want her to feel obliged to him. But the situation has changed now. It should be okay to say it now. 

"I gave you hints before but never said it clearly. Actually, I met you when you stayed in the Rain Kingdom when you were six years old."

Lyn tilted her head puzzled but slowly nodded. "So are you saying I knew you before?"

"Yeah."

He watched as her lips curved to a smile and her eyes brightened. Rhys felt his heartbeat increase. Unlike earlier this pounding sensation was not due to fear but embarrassment. He looked down at the ground and avoided her gaze. 

What on earth is with that face? Why does she look so happy learning something like that?

Isaki chuckled. "I see nothing has changed between you two."

"Uh, actually we--"

"Dating?" Isaki said, surprised. 

Rhys recalled that time during the training grounds. It looked like his brother wanted to give up the idea of him and Lyn being together since she has a fiance. Indeed that mindset is normal. Rhys knew how much Isaki liked Lyn and wanted her in the family, but he was a man who followed the rules. 

Before he could answer this the doors opened revealing a frantic looking Pupilliam.

"Princess Lyn! Apologies for disturbing but have you seen sir Kazuya?"

A dark aura wrapped around the girl. "Again?"

Rhys already understood the situation. Why is that fool causing a disturbance when he has to leave soon?

He watched as Lyn glanced over at him with a conflicted look on her face. How troublesome, he hates situations like this. A situation where she has to choose between him and Kazuya, even if it is for something insignificant. Lyn has most likely figured out that he does not like it whenever she goes to Kazuya.

But he does have something to speak about with second brother in private. "Get going."

"Are you sure?"

Rhys nodded. "I will catch up later." His sentence fell short when he felt her lips on his cheek. It was a brief kiss but a kiss nonetheless. 

"I will go then." She bowed and quickly left the room without waiting for him to reply.

Rhys stared at the spot she was in moments ago. He did not know when Gabrielle left or the other people but it was only him and second brother.

Isaki chuckled. "It seems that no matter what happens you two were fated to meet."

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "I wouldn't know about fate." Rhys trailed off. "Will you tell me everything that happened in detail?"

____

It was easy for her to find Kazuya because she knew where all his hiding spots were. Back when they were still dating he showed all of them to her. Kazuya was hiding in one of the old buildings that were under construction, she found him on the second-floor balcony area. Once she found him she stepped on his foot causing him to yelp in pain.

"Ouch, why are you so violent?"

"What did you take now?" Lyn demanded. Or rather where on earth does he find these things to steal?

It was not like Kazuya stole from the palace but he went after other nobles' treasures. So naturally, the crime ended up reported to the royal family. At first, her eldest brother was the one people reported too but after her involvement with Kazuya, the soldiers started to report to her instead.

Kazuya did not reply but instead leaned forward and put something around her neck. "A necklace?"

"Mm stay still."

Lyn does as he says. She ought to lecture him about giving her something stolen as a gift. But right at this moment, it felt like time had stopped. She became painfully aware how close he was when he still couldn't fasten the necklace around her neck.

"This is harder than I thought," Kazuya grunted. "But it looks good right?"

"It's stolen though."

"Not stolen, this wasn't what I stole."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words and she deeply sighed. "This birthday gift is late."

Kazuya laughed. "Sorry, sorry I was busy but I will make it up to you."

Busy huh? Kazuya's departure which he has delayed this entire time he can no longer do that. That's right, soon he will have to leave.

"Isn't Rhys with you?" Kazuya looked around puzzled. "I was preparing for your loving scolding and a fist from my dear friend." 

"Ah." Lyn started to explain the events that led up to now.

Kazuya didn't seem surprised. "When he told me the story before I did think something was off but it was like that."

"Rhys said I stayed in the Rain Kingdom for awhile, and I confirmed it with his brother. But isn't it strange that I don't remember?"

How is it possible? She gave something as important as a magic stone away. Magic stones cannot be used by others other than the user or those close to them. But even then the later is risky. She wouldn't give it as a normal gift either. As naive as she was Lyn understood that much.

The fact that she gave it must mean they were close. It seems she also gave something similar to Rhys. 

"Is it weird? Rhys has the power to erase memories."

"That's right." Lyn answered uncertain.

Now that she thought about it she doesn't know much about Rhys abilities. They have had brief conversations in the past about it. 

Her thoughts broke off when Kazuya suddenly patted her hair. "I don't think you need to over think it. The fact that you had a past together should be a blessing."

Lyn frowned when she heard those words. "Aaah why aren't you bitter?"

Kazuya blinked and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well more like Iam green with envy but I will be leaving soon…"

That's right…

"Lyn, it's okay for you to trust Rhys."

"What makes you think I don't."

"I just know."

'That's so unfair.' But Lyn knew she could not refute his words.