Chapter 19 - Verbal Confrontation with the First Prince Of The Mist Kingdom (2/2)
”Um, thank you for escorting me all the way.”
”Yeah,” Rhys said with a nod. He was a man of little words, but today he spoke a lot. He looked over at the room that was further down the hallway and heavily guarded, ”You'll be fine?”
”Ah yes, there's security on the way down. People who know me.”
”That's not what I meant.”
Lyn looked down and tugged on her skirt, ”It's not like I can say no. I seldom meet with the whole family, so I can't not attend.”
”Do you want me to take you away?” Rhys asked.
A hopeful look appeared on the girl's face until a pair of footsteps from behind the girl interrupted them. ”I have not seen you in a long time, and you wish to escape?” the man's voice seemed a tad bit amused.
The person presence was overwhelming; even Rhys felt his knees go weak slightly. His sweat fell from his face, here he comes. The Mist Kingdoms first Prince. A man with shoulder-length blonde hair similar to the current Queen, and blue eyes. Wearing a dark violet long-sleeved shirt with the Mist Kingdom symbol pattern along the edge, and white colored pants. A formal cloak wrapped around his shoulders.
As the first Prince Of The Mist Kingdom, it's apparent that he is the first in line to the throne. Unlike the other siblings, he's the only one who truly resembled the Queen appearance and personality wise. He isn't just a sheltered Prince and travels around the Mist Kingdom lands to see who requires help. He learns about his country and his people. Rather than the current King, it's the First Prince who helps the Queen out with important matters and decisions regarding the Kingdom.
The name of this mysterious Prince is Andrew. Rhys felt Andrew's gaze soften slightly upon seeing Lyn. But the girl's demeanor was the complete opposite. She seemed nervous.
”B—brother,” Lyn murmured.
”And this man?”
”Ah,” Lyn replied nervously, ”This is Rhys, he's from the Sound Kingdom,” she said quietly. Rhys observed her silently and noticed no traces of the strength she usually showed. Is she afraid of this person?
At that comment, the First Prince turned to him and looked him up and down, ”I see, so it's you.”
Huh?
”Pardon me, it's no longer you,” the first prince said with a light laugh. Rhys froze on the spot realizing what he meant. This man, he knows everything? No, the most this one probably knows is him sneaking around and investigating his sister for two years. Relax Rhys, even if he knows the plan has changed to Kazuya. This guy doesn't know the details of the new plan. After all, unlike him, Kazuya leaves no traces.
Rhys watched as Lyn look over at him with a worried expression. So even she can make faces like this huh?
”It's a pleasure to meet you; I'm Rhys. A mere low person from the Sound Kingdom, but I supposes you can call me the leader of this group that came here.”
”I see, so the Sound Kingdom people are not all dogs.”
”Brother!” Lyn exclaimed horrified.
”Pardon me dear sister, but they have lived in exile for so long. I have to question whether they learned anything in their backwater town.”
This guy is exactly like the rumors say, he's brutally ruthless.
”If the First Prince thinks so, then perhaps you can spread your knowledge in our backwater town,” Rhys countered. A verbal confrontation? So be it, he isn't the type to lose these things.
”Indeed, but I wonder if you can host the proper reception for somebody of my status?”
”If the reception and accommodation aren't satisfactory to you. It just proves you're a man who can't be satisfied unless he's in the confines of his own home.”
”Oh?”
Rhys continued, ”In fact, you probably ought to refrain too much from an extravagant lifestyle. Who knows what your very own people will do to you, let alone you walking on enemy territory.”
”I take your last line as a challenge and invitation then.”
Before Rhys could reply, he felt the vibrating sound on the ground. A signal only those in the group could pick up. Despite the strength of the First Prince, Rhys knew from his behavior that he didn't notice a thing. So the people in the Mist Kingdom know nothing regarding the power of Sound? How interesting.
”It seems like I am delaying you from your meal. I shall take my leave.”
”Rhys,” Lyn called out.
Rhys paused; he didn't want to turn back to look at her. Rhys knew if he looked at her now. He would do something foolish like taking her away, ”I'll have Kazuya take you back.”
His sentence fell short when he hears the sound of soft footsteps shuffling in his direction. Rhys, however, remained still, don't look at her. He really will want to take her away, that would be bad, with the First Prince watching. A verbal confrontation is already deadly; getting into a fight with him would be a huge mistake.
His thoughts break off when he felt the girl's footsteps stop right behind him. Lyn buried her face in his back and murmured, ”Thank you,” softly. His eyes widened. When Rhys finally turned back, Lyn was already walking away with her brother.