258 The Sword Dance of Red and Blue Part 15

In the eastern caves of the Mist Kingdom.

There was a group of soldiers all huddled up around a campfire inside the now frozen cave. Even if they are used to living in a cold climate, it was exceptionally cold today. A man with dark long hair sat in a meditating pose in the corner.

"So, are we going to attack or not?" A female voice interjected his thoughts.

Luke sighs deeply. "How many times have I told you not to interrupt me?"

This person is the secret agent Someya, one of the five pillars of the Snow Kingdom that serve Queen Jennifer.

"But this is boring, we are already in Mist Kingdom lands. I don't understand why we don't just attack them."

"It's not that simple. The Queen still has some preparations to make."

Someya sighs. "I am itching for a fight."

"Be patient, you can spill all the blood you wish at a later time." Luke trails off. "Or if your board you can locate our beast master and witch who have been taken captive."

At those words Someya chuckles. "Looking for lil Cyann is okay. But about the latter, hasn't she betrayed us? Didn't she use an enchantment against our people to help Queen Lyn?"

Luke frowns and his gaze darkens. When he received the report that Ayah had been defeated by Rhys and captured, he wasn't worried. In fact it was better this way. Lyn will most certainly keep Ayah close by. With that Ayah can pass information back to him. However, that girl broke their connection and even attacked their soldiers.

What is she doing? Has Lyn truly won her over?

Ayah's hatred towards Lyn is no less than Queen Jennifers.

"We are already down numbers, and yet the Queen locked away Princess Mei."

Luke couldn't say anything to that. He doesn't know why the Queen would do that during a time like this. Princess Mei's abilities will be very useful on the battlefield. Thankfully, it seems like the Mist Kingdoms' Princess Shaaraya isn't participating in the battle, otherwise there would be nobody who could counter her.

"Are you scared? I hear the last time you fought their advisor you almost lost."

Someya frowns. "I didn't lose! Why would I lose to that woman? Next time I see her, I'm cutting her into pieces."

"Then, why don't you hone your blade instead of nagging?"

Someya is quiet for a moment and Luke is about to return to meditating when Someya speaks up again.

"Queen Jennifer, what Queen Jennifer is doing right now. Is it for the best?"

'Whether it's for the best doesn't matter anymore, they have already done this much. It is too late to turn back.'

..

Luke doesn't know when he fell asleep, or perhaps he was still in the meditating sphere? But, as memory flashes in his mind, a memory of something that happened not too long ago.

..

Year XXX Mist Kingdom.

A man with long hair was sitting behind a large tree, and watching his fellow knights sparring against Queen Lyn's knights. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. So Luke found shelter under a tree and was reading a book.

"Instead of standing all the way out here alone, why don't you join your companions?"

The person who just approached him was the recently new crowned Queen of the Mist Kingdom, Lyn. To celebrate her friend's coronation, their Queen, Queen Jennifer brought everybody along to the Mist Kingdom.

"There is no need. My fighting style isn't suited for sparring."

Lyn tilted her head. "Even if you do not join in, you should at least sit a bit closer."

Luke wanted to ignore her but she is the Queen of the Mist Kingdom, and these are her lands.

"The light is too blinding."

Lyn laughs. "I see! I'm not fond of the heat myself, and it is very hot today." She takes out a bag. "These are some new frozen deserts from the bakery in town. Why don't you have some? It may help you cool down."

He could only stare at her surprised. Offering food aside, when the girl actually sat down beside him he was in disbelief. What is she doing?

"Shouldn't you be overseeing the training?"

"It's fine, they won't go overboard." Lyn trails off. "Besides it's boring without Jen."

"Queen Jennifer is unfortunately unwell. I have to apologise in advance, we knew she was unwell but we still allowed her to travel here."

On their first day, Queen Jennifer who had been suffering from a fever collapsed the minute they reached the gates. Since then she has been bedridden.

Lyn shakes her head. "With Jen's personality, there is nobody who can convince her."

"Why are you speaking with me?" Luke decided to just ask her.

"Am I not allowed to speak with you?"

That's not it, but she is being a bit too casual.

"I've actually been wanting to speak to you properly since that time I visited the Snow Kingdom when I was a Princess. But, I didn't get a chance to."

"You've been wanting to speak to me?" Luke said dumbfounded.

"Mm, I was curious about your abilities before. But that's not all." Lyn trails off and clapped her hands. "I know, why don't we become friends?"

Luke felt a headache coming along. Since she came over and started speaking to him, he has had no idea what she was trying to do.

Friends? She wants to become friends with him? This is the first time somebody has asked him this, he doesn't know how to react.

His thoughts break off when Lyn pushes the book away from his hands and replaced it with a pastry.

"Have some, it's really tasty."

"Then, I shall." Luke muttered and takes a bite. The cream inside the bun was chilled like ice, but it surprisingly balances well with the natural taste of the bun.

While there are certainly better chilled foods in the Snow Kingdom, for the Mist Kingdom cooks to make something like this is already good enough.

They sat in silence eating until there was nothing left, and he finds the girl staring at him.

"What is it?"

Lyn points to the book she had snatched from him. "I like this author too."

Luke raises his eyebrow. "This author writes very depressing and dark stories. You, read those?" He said surprised.

Lyn nodded. "I really like stories like these." She was looking at him curiosity. "Sir Luke, do you like reading?"

"I do."

"I have my own library, and have many books like this. If you'd like, you can go there and read when your bored."

Luke had to admit that her offer was tempting, at least he won't have to sit here in the sunlight searching for shade. He slowly nodded and Lyn's eyes brightened as she stood up.

"Then, let's meet there tomorrow!"

Before he could even get another word out, Lyn was already heading back in the direction of the other knights. What an unusual woman. But, he didn't know that would be the start of an unusual friendship between them.

If he knew much sooner, perhaps he could have avoided it?