The Lovers Forest

The General and Uncle Adrien agreed with her and started to make arrangements for their stay. The three of them stood out together, so they left her behind. Though, she exhaled deeply, "I'm not a child," she murmured. The instructions they left her were not necessary. Stay put, don't go anywhere. Lyn sighed, what else would she do in a town she's never gone to before? But illegal trading huh? Come to think of it, Allen mentioned something like that not too long ago.

Is this the same thing?

When it comes to illegal training stuff though, the best ones to deal with this are Kazuya's friends. To be precise, the group who came with Kazuya when they first met.

'The group Kazuya came with.' The moment she said those words. An image of a man with dark hair and ruby coloured eyes appeared in her mind. That's right, if anybody should have any information it should be him. However, that man hasn't appeared before her in the past five years.

Is it not obvious that he is avoiding her? Lyn sighed deeply. Having these thoughts is pointless, besides if she wants to directly find information. It may be better to contact the current leader of the Sound Kingdom.

Perhaps Kazuya took a trip home and informed Chisa where he was going? It was a far fetched theory. Lyn knew how since their marriage Kazuya avoided speaking to the current Sound Kingdom Queen to avoid any rumors.

Her thoughts break off when she spotted a group of suspicious looking people wearing dark cloaks.

It should be fine to check it out for awhile.

__________

Mist Kingdom, southern plains.

Lyn grumbled frustrated as she looked at the large clearing ahead of her. Where on earth did they go? How did they disappear so fast? 'They didn't realise I was tracking them did they?'

No, they couldn't have. She used tracking magic that hasn't been released publicily yet. Her gaze fell on her surroundings, the clearing of a forest. But it wasn't a normal forest. This is the 'lovers' forest isn't it? This hill is called lovers hill, one of the famous spots.

Perhaps those people she saw before weren't bad people. This is a place couples frequently visit, and there are no monsters despite it being a forest.

Her thoughts break off when she felt a pair of arms hug her from the back.

"Finally, I found you, Lyn."

The unease she felt immediately vanished and she felt overwhelmed with emotions. This is too much of a coincidence. Why is he here?

Lyn pushed his arms away and broke free of his hold and turned around.

"Rhys."

"Long time no see."

Lyn felt her heart beat skip a beat seeing his bright and gentle smile. Huh? What is this?

"I heard somebody of your description was seen in town, so I have been looking for you. But your hard to track."

"..."

Of course, the General won't make any type of mistakes.

This person is Rhys, one of Kazuya's old friends. Also, a member of the Sound Kingdom. In the past people considered him the leader of the group Kazuya brought along when they first met. If Lyn she had to describe him Rhys is the big brother type. He is a good leader and always looking out for those he cares about, and members of his team.

Just now when she saw him, why did her heart beat increase? Why did she feel like crying? It's true that she hasn't seen him in five years, but why does she feel like this?

"Kazuya, have you seen him?" Lyn asked. She wanted to dispell this strange feeling.

At those words Rhys frowned. "He hasn't returned yet?"

Lyn nodded, and the man in front of her sighed. He ran his hand through his hair, "Dam." Rhys cursed. "Actually I was on my way to the Mist Kingdom. I thought he was too busy to reply to my messages after getting back."

Rhys doesn't know; then there's no use in her searching for the others. She only just started this journey to search for Kazuya, and yet she's already met with disappointing news. Lyn looked down at her feet, is it impossible? To meet Kazuya, she wants to see him.

"Do you guys have a place to stay?"

" Ah, not yet."

"Then you can come back with me."

Lyn nodded, she had no reason to disagree with him. "Rhys, did you come here to meet with someone?"

This is the famous lovers forest after all, perhaps he was going to meet his girlfriend.

Rhys sighed and flicked her forehead. "I don't have anyone like that."

Lyn blinked surprised hearing those words. So he is single? But why? He is twenty five years old, most men in the Kingdom get married when they are twenty or eighteen. Why doesn't he have a wife yet?

As the new ambassador that replaced Kazuya, and also a Prince of the Rain Kingdom. Rhys should have plenty of options.

Her thoughts break off when he extended his hand out. "Give me your hand, the terrain isn't good, you'll fall."

Since she ran here she didn't notice but now that she is walking slowly, she understands what he is saying. Lyn stared at his hand for a few seconds before accepting it.

It feels strange, has something like this happened before? Five years ago wasn't a long time and she is confident enough to say that she has a strong memory. Rhys and her have never held hands before. So, why does it feel nostagalic to her?

"So, hey what are you doing here?"

"Uh, I saw some suspicious people." Lyn admitted.

"You don't have to worry, this is lovers hill."

"So--"

"It's probably a couple that can't be together and snuck of to meet here. The only ones who can enter this place is a couple or someone who genuinely has someone they love."

Lyn blinked hearing those words. The person Rhys likes--

'I love you.'

She paused in mid thought and shakes her head. It can't be, five entire years have passed. He has not appeared before her once. If he still liked her, that shouldn't be possible.

"Rhys, why didn't you come and visit?" Lyn decided to just ask.

"I've been busy."

"But--"

Rhys turned around and suddenly appeared before her. "Did you miss me?"

Lyn blinked startled at his question. Huh?

"Of course I did, you disappeared for so long."

She thought it was only natural for her to say that she missed him. If she saw the look in his eyes sooner, perhaps she would have realised sooner.

Her thoughts break off when he slumped his head on her chest.

"What are you-"

"For a few minutes, let me rest."

Lyn sighed deeply and nodded. This person, he still hasn't changed. He is still so careless. Her gaze fell on their surroundings. The lovers forest huh? It feels strange being here with Rhys of all people, but it also feels right.

...…..

A few hours later they arrived at Rhys, hideout. After sending word to the General and Uncle Adrien, they quickly met up with them and the four of them headed to Rhys base. The base itself didn't look like a base at all, in fact, the large building on the edge of town looked more like a Government official building.

"So yeah, I was with Kazuya. But we got separated around two weeks back. He told me he had a lead and rushed off in the middle of the night," Rhys explained, as he took out some cups from the fridge and a bottle of wine. "So he hasn't disappeared completely. I just saw him."

Lyn nodded slowly, as the General and Uncle Adrien discussed it amongst themselves. Her gaze fell on the surroundings; it smells like Kazuya. So Lyn confirmed Rhys words. He was here in this place till recently. She's relieved, but she still wants to meet with him.

"Little Lyn, why don't you rest for a while?" Adrien suggested.

"Eh?" Lyn said.

Teo nodded, "I agree."

Rhys looked like he wanted to say something but nodded. "Come, I'll take you out back."

Lyn hurriedly followed after Rhys. He leads her down a narrow passageway and down a series of steps. A few minutes go by, and Lyn noticed that they had yet to reach the bottom of the steps. Rhys read her thoughts, "Were not half way yet."

They aren't? They've already walked for at least a good half an hour. Well, it's not like she's tired. She's just curious. On the outside, this place looked like an average building. When Rhys said this was the hideout, she thought he was joking at first.

Lyn blinked, "This place is larger than I thought."

Laughter escaped the man's lips, "Of course, it's Kazuya's style."

Is it? She always thought her husband preferred smaller places. Rhys must have read her thoughts since he added, "At least the Kazuya I knew before he met you. He seemed fidgety and uncomfortable the whole time he was here."

"Say," Lyn started, but Rhys cut her off.

"He spoke about you every day. He was honestly bugged the hell out of me. I didn't need to hear stories about your intimate life. Thank you very much."

Lyn's cheeks burned red, what has that idiot done now? However, their intimate life huh? At most, they hug and hold hands. As for anything else, Kazuya always hesitates. Occasionally he would kiss her but that is as far as it would go.

"Well unless it is regarding you. Kazuya doesn't actually speak much," Rhys sighed, "You know I've always been jealous of you."

Eh? Lyn looked at him surprised.

"Don't look at me like that. I knew Kazuya since childhood. But not only was he an awkward person who didn't talk much. He was a cold guy to everybody," Rhys took a deep breath as he murmured, "He only showed emotions when he was with you. That's why when the others and me realized that, even though it went against the mission. We listened to what he said regarding you. We were supposed to use you and then toss you aside afterward. However, Kazuya kept convincing us you that you were different from all the other nobles."

That aligns with something else she heard. When Fukami, the man who was Kazuya's aide told him that Kazuya changed after meeting her. Lyn couldn't take him seriously. In her whole life, she never thought she would influence or inspire anyone.

Rhys kicked a rock under his feet, and continued speaking. "He said you were different, and yes you proved that yourself when you interacted with us. Everybody understood that you weren't like the others and wavered. They all devitated from the original plan. It was the same for me, but I tried to convince myself to remain detached. Well, in the end, the one who was attached the most was me."

Lyn's gaze flickered to the scar on his eye, "Does it still hurt?"

Rhys got this wound after defeating the 'dragon'

"I can't feel movement there anymore, and can't see. Well, it was strange at first, but I've gotten used to it."

"I--"

Rhys laughed, "Don't mind it. Since I defeated the dragon, I saved the girl I fell for so."

Lyn didn't know what to say; it still felt strange to her that Rhys fell for her. ' It seems like I was correct, he still likes me.' So back there at lovers hill, the reason he could enter was his feelings for her?

"I'm sorry," Lyn thought she might as well repeat it, to get it out of the way. Lyn noticed the way Rhys looked at her since earlier. There was such an affectionate gaze in his eyes.

"I see." For a moment he is quiet before he nodded. " Hey, relax. I would never try to take advantage of this moment or anything; I'm not that low."

"..."

"You know Lyn; it's not like I wanted to tell you. But I figured you wanted an explanation to why I did that." Rhys scratched his head awkwardly. "Your that type of person right?"

"That's true," Lyn said. If Rhys just slew the dragon without explaining, then she would surely get mad. After all, he lost his eyesight in one eye and received such a horrible scar for her sake. Lyn reached over and hesitated before brushing her hand on his scar, "I really am grateful, thank you."

If Rhys didn't kill the dragon, the tide of the battle would have shifted in her sister's favour.

"Yeah, your welcome." Rhys trailed off. "This thank you is a bit weak."

"I'm sorry, do you want a reward? I'll discuss something with the elders. Because of you there was less casualties so I am sure they will approve of any request you make."

"Then, if that's the case. Why don't we have dinner together tomorrow night?"

Lyn blinked hearing those words. "Dinner?"

"Yeah. I understand that your busy, so it doesn't have to be tomorrow. But, when your free?"

Dinner with Rhys? Lyn glanced over and saw the expression in his eyes.

Ah, something tells her that she shouldn't be left alone with him.

"I will think about it."

His lips curved to a smile. "I see." Rhys trailed off. "By the way, your hands are small."

Lyn glared at him and proceeded to yank her hand away. But Rhys grip tightened.

"That's why it's perfect."

It took her a moment to process what his words meant. 'What a fool, how can he be happy over something this small?' He still likes her huh?