Princess Lyn: Fleeting Dreams

When they arrived at the mansion, people immediately escorted them both inside. It seemed like Lady Rei"s presence surprised them. "They expected her to come alone," Lyn thought. Naturally, they would come to that conclusion. They purposely let out the information that they kidnapped her sister, so she would overhear it. Prince Ereland most likely didn"t know it was her and was preparing to negotiate with whatever n.o.ble ends up appearing. However, after he conducted his own investigation, it seemed like the people were expecting her.

The servants had left them in a large waiting room, and for the last few minutes, Lyn was prancing around the room uncomfortably. She disliked the presence of this place.

Lady Rei, however, remained calm and dignified. A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips as Lyn compared the two of them. She really ought to act more like a lady. But places like this made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Prince Ereland and his fiance are coming through."

Wait, fiance? Lyn felt her whole body turn cold. As far as they knew, no other females were in this residence than her sister. Could it possibly be Shaarya? But how on earth did her sister suddenly become that man"s fiance? Did he do something to her? As these questions ran through her mind, the doors opened, and Prince Ereland strolled inside. The injury Kazuya gave him during the tournament seemed to have healed already since he no longer wore bandages. However, Lyn blinked at the eye patch he wore across his eyes. Isn"t that where Kazuya punched him before?

Her thoughts broke off when she saw the person who entered the room with Prince Ereland.

There was none other than her sister Shaarya. From the way her sister looked, it was clear that she was uncomfortable. How on earth did Shaarya become Prince Erelands bride?

"Shaary-"

"I shall leave you ladies to talk, I"m sure my bride to be wants to discuss the details with her eldest sister."

Lyn frowned at his words. This unreasonable man, what sort of thing did he say to get her sister to agree? Whatever it is, she will make sure to get it out of Shaarya. As she thought this though Lyn saw Shaarya murmur the words "Mister Kazuya."

"Wait," Lyn stopped Prince Ereland in his tracks, "What did you do with him?"

"Now who could you possibly be talking about?"

Lyn"s gaze hardened, "I"m warning you, Prince Ereland, don"t try my patience. Since you know who I am, I"m sure you know what I can easily do."

Prince Ereland seemed a bit frightened, "Re--Relax Princess Lyn, he"s safe. You can see him after you have your little chat. Well, my dear Shaarya," he quickly turned to her sister, "I shall take my leave," with those words said the man hurriedly took his leave.

Shaarya reached over and tugged on her sleeve, "Sister, I"m sorry because of me.."

"Tell me what happened."

"You see it"s like this.."

For the next few minutes, Shaarya explains what happened last night. After Kazuya told her that the Prince knew her ident.i.ty, the two quickly came up with a plan.

"But," Shaarya looked down, "I messed up and Prince Erelands guards realized that Mister Kazuya was there too."

Lyn shook her head, "Don"t blame yourself," even if Shaarya didn"t mess up. Prince Erelands men would have found Kazuya sooner or later. "How did you end up becoming his fiance?"

Shaarya deeply sighed, "Apparently he was planning on marrying any n.o.blewoman who naively came walking to his front door. I just happened to be that idiot," she trailed off, "When he found out who I was, he kindly sat down and explained things to me."

"Do you think he"s a good person?"

"No," Shaarya shook her head, "Even though he was treating me with kindness. Something felt wrong. It felt like there was a hidden motive in his words and actions," she paused, "Sister, you must go to Mister Kazuya. His wounds are very serious and I only just finished treating them when they gave him new ones."

"But," Lyn looked at her sister, "I don"t want to leave you.." Prince Ereland maybe treating Shaarya kindly now, and even calling her his fiance. But, who knows what will happen?

Lady Rei spoke up, "I shall protect her with my life."

"Lady Rei…"

"Rest a.s.sured, your sister will be fine with me."

"Wahhh! Miss Rei?" Shaarya exclaimed.

Rei smiled, "It"s good to see you again."

Lyn looked back at the two of them. She didn"t know how they knew each other, but it does see.

…..

-Dungeon-

The dungeon area was in poor taste. Prince Ereland didn"t even try to conceal how badly he was trying to imitate the dungeons from the royal palaces. Lyn left her "guide" by the staircase earlier and said she would head down the rest of her way herself. Lyn didn"t want the guide to be around when she met with Kazuya.

For a cheap imitation, it did an excellent job giving her the creeps. She got that same eerie feeling when she last went to a place like this. That was back when she was training with her eldest brother. But Lyn had not forgotten how depressed and depraved the people in these dungeons were.

It seemed like Kazuya was the only prisoner in this area since she saw empty cells as she walked by. "The last corner," Lyn repeated the instructions the guide gave her and continued walking. After a short while, she saw it at the very end.

The scent of blood caught her attention, and Lyn recalled what her sister just said. She immediately rushed over and approached the cell. Indeed, she could spot an injured Kazuya leaning against the wall. His whole body pale, blood gushed down from his face. Blood came from his arms. They must have badly beaten him…

Lyn clenched her fist, that man will not get away with this. She will make sure that Prince Ereland is begging by the end of the day. Of course, they didn"t give her the keys, but Lyn had learned how to pick a lock from Rhys using her hairpin. It didn"t take long before she hears a click sound; she unlocked the door. Lyn immediately rushed into the cell, and no sooner had she gotten close to Kazuya did she find herself in his arms.

Kazuya had pulled her into his embrace.

"Ka...Kazuya?"

"Hah," Kazuya nodded, "I thought I sensed you. But I thought I made a mistake. What is my pretty Lyn doing not following the plan? Aren"t you supposed to be distracting him?"

"Allen can handle things when the plan is concerned, and Rhys too."

"That"s true, but I thought you would stay with your sister."

Lyn shook her head, "I am worried about her, but," she felt the tears she was holding back fall from her eyes, "I"m more worried about you. Dummy, dummy, dummy. Why did you get so hurt?"

"Prince Ereland uses some pretty despicable means to lure me out. Before I met up with your sister, he used children against me. Of course, even then I sustained a somewhat light injury."

She looked at him questioningly, Kazuya"s definition of a light injury definitely isn"t light. But there is no use arguing with him about it now.

"And you got beat up because Prince Ereland was forcing Shaarya to agree?"

"Yeah, he wanted it recorded too. He"s probably sent it to the Mist Kingdom already," Kazuya sighed, "I don"t know what he is thinking. Queen Orthez wouldn"t care less if I got hurt, but I"m sure she will negotiate since it involves your sister."

Lyn didn"t know what her mother was thinking. But father usually handles all the messages before it reaches mother. Father acts indifferent and casual about it, but Lyn saw her father looking out for Kazuya on more than one occasion already.