Chapter 90 - Signs Of Corruption (1/2)

The last thing Lyn expected after spending such lovely moments with Kazuya, was to see an awful sight. When they returned, the river bank surrounded by people. That sight shouldn't be unusual, but earlier people were spread out, they weren't bundled together like this. What's more, they were all stiff and wore a frightened expression in their face. Lyn made her way through the crowd, and there she saw Rhys glaring at somebody harshly, sword in hand. Ah?

Her gaze fell on the people behind Rhys, two girls - sisters from the looks of it that. Faces were swollen and bruised up. The man opposite Rhys was somebody she recognized.

Lyn recalled the information she and Kazuya received before and clenched her fist. So, it's true?

”Lyn, don't,”

Lyn shook her head, ”He knows who I am. I'm sorry Kazuya, but I'll have to,” even if her status in the Mist Kingdom is dodgy. She's still a Princess, and she has every right to intervene in a situation like this. This man may have power, but against her, he is nothing. Lyn confidentially made her way through the crowd.

”Pull back Prince Ereland.”

The man who just moments ago had an insane look on his face turned to her, ”Princess...Princess Lyn?” he seemed dumbfounded, his eyes filled with confusion.

'Is it that surprising to see her outside?' Lyn thought.

”Yes,” with her reply, the crowd immediately burst into chatter.

”Did he just say, Princess?”

”That girl?”

Lyn removed the cloak she had been wearing this whole time, while she mainly wore plain travel clothes. Kazuya bought them for her, so they were made of high-quality material. Everybody looked stunned, they did not say anything though. What could they say? The people in this town clearly dislike royalty, they probably did not expect the girl who brought them this peaceful evening is a member of the royals they hate so much. Lyn, however prepared for them to find out anytime, even if she is hated. It does not matter, at least she returned the smiles to their faces.

”Oh? Interesting,” Ereland's lips curved to a smile, ”Now what could you possibly be doing all the way out here, especially with your circ.u.mstances. Did you escape? That's no good.”

”Do you think I'd be capable of escaping my brother?” Lyn shook her head, ”Times have changed since you were last in the Kingdom. It seems like you've forgotten your etiquette in the process too.”

”With all due respect Princess, I am simply punishing what's mine. These two came begging to be bought by my head solider, so instead, I took pity on them and took them off his hands,” Ereland explained, ”I did a noble thing, wouldn't you say so?”

Pity? Noble? Lyn looked back at the girl's who were on the ground. One of them managed to get up and tried to lift her sister, ”Sister, eldest sister, don't die. Please don't die,” she sobbed.

That's a noble deed?

”I've heard of nobles purchasing and abducting females from the slums lately. One would think that they are doing something good by providing these people with a stable job, with shelter and warm meals. But, it seems like your amongst the few who have other ideas.”

Ereland's face broke out into a sweat, 'Bingo,' Lyn thought. Initially, she was just saying it as a bluff, but it turned out she was right after all. Before Lyn could say anymore, however, a voice called out to her.

”Lyn,” Rhys reached over and brought her towards him, ”Who is this guy?”

”Prince Ereland.”

”Prince, pfft, with the way he beat women, I thought he was a common street thug,” though Rhys laughed. Lyn could sense the deadly around surrounding him. His arms wrapped around her, so she caught a glimpse of his hand.

”Ah, you hurt your hand?” Lyn asked.

”Yeah, I used my fists first. But then I decided it would be quicker if I just cut him.”