As Elder Nicholas blabbed on, she felt herself play with the small blade in her hands. It was her Eldest brother who told her to keep one with her at all times. A knife for protection, later on, the years when people learned of her ident.i.ty and viewed her as a traitor. Lyn discovered that keeping a concealed blade is a lot more convenient than summoning long ranged weapons.

"--so you see Queen Lyn, it was nothing short of a small trade. She simply wished to fight with one of your knights."

"Why poison Gabrielle?" Lyn questioned, she didn't show a trace of emotion on her face. Sadly however this made Lord Nicholas believe she was actually listening to him.

"Did you not know my Queen? Apparently, your brother is having an affair with your aide. Somina said that she's doing this for her dear friend. The story moved me and couldn't help but offer my help. The household has been acting up and causing problems for you, anyway."

Her lips curve to a smile, as she raised her eyebrows, "Problems?"

"They joined the anti fraction."

"Oh?"

Elder Nicholas nodded, "In fact, they are in charge of one of the groups."

As Elder Nicholas explained more details to her, her impatience grew thinner. Does this man think she's stupid? He's clearly left out some important details. She continued spinning the knife around and watched his eyes followed her every movement. Her lips curve to a smile, hmm. Is he afraid? That's good. She wants to continue implanting this seed of fear until he's no longer sane. Lyn wants to back him to a corner and drive him crazy. There are plenty of ways after all.

After a short time had pa.s.sed, the Elder finally stopped speaking.

"Now that was a delightful talk," Lyn hummed in amus.e.m.e.nt, "I learned quite a bit," she said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She didn't need to ask him anything. Lyn already knew all this. But she wished to drive him to a corner.

Nicholas didn't notice the signs and looked at her hopefully, "Then you'll let me go?"

She smiled and looked over at Rhys, "Release him, and give him his bag back."

"Huh? Are you sure."

Lyn nodded, "I'm sure."

Rhys seemed confused but loosened the chains, Elder Nicholas immediately grabbed his bag and sprinted out the room. She clicked her tongue, "Tsk, not even a thank you on the way out."

"Well, the whole time you were playing with your blade. The guy was acting like an idiot. But he watched your every move like a hawk."

"Hmm."

"You really let him go?"

"Do you think I'm that generous? I let him out through the backdoor."

Rhys eyes widened realizing, his sweat fell, "Scary woman."

Lyn chuckled, "Now, now my pet wolves are cute."

"Cute she says..."

Lyn turned to the door, but she felt herself lose her balance, Rhys however immediately caught her and stopped her from falling.

"Thank you."

He said nothing at first before he grabbed hold of her wrist, "Tell me something, is it necessary for you to fight?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Most Queens, most rulers are just figureheads. Even if they control the politics side, they just issue orders. They don't actually personally get involved. Many rulers have no knowledge of a blade, let alone personally go out into the battlefield," he trailed off and looked at her with a complicated look on his face. "I believe you and Queen Orthez, no for the past four generations of the Mist Kingdom is the only exception to that rule."

"It's not just the Mist Kingdom."

"That's hardly the point."

Lyn didn't want to continue this matter any further and pulled her hand away from Rhys. But the moment she did, he embraced her.

She frowned, "I still have my knife."

"Quit being scary for a moment and just listen to me."

What does he want now? Since they met again, all he has done is lecture her. She honestly wants to evade any conversation outside out of their present job. Lyn didn't want to act so cold since she considered him a good friend. But he refuses to respect her wishes and continues taking advantage of any moment.

"All you do is keep getting hurt."

Lyn noticed something wrong then, the tone of his voice.

She glanced down at the bandages wrapped across her arm.

Lyn shook her head fervently. "Don't blame yourself."

But Rhys didn't listen, "I'm done with all of this. I have been for a very long time. Why do you think I was absent from the battle three years ago? I wasn't just trying to avoid seeing you married with Kazuya. I'm tired of war," he spoke the last line quietly. "Lyn, just stop this and come with me. I can take you away from all of this. From all the hards.h.i.+ps and pain."

Lyn looked down at her feet, "I'm the Queen, Rhys. I can't just abandon everything."

"Yes, yes, you can. You can come with me. I'll protect you from harm's way. You don't have to pick up a blade ever again."

"I can't just feign ignorance and drop everything to go with you. And even if I do, I can never love you." Lyn exclaimed. This isn't the time for all this.

"When was the last time you smiled?"

That question did it, whatever emotions she held back spilled out and the tears fell. Rhys brushed his hand across her eyelids, "Think it through, be with me. Before we sort this case out, you can escape with me." he gently kissed her forehead, "Escape and be free."

....

Be free? As she and Rhys walked out of the inn and followed Elder Nicholas trail, she repeated those words in her head. That's impossible for her. She belongs to the elite; she knew better than to think of things like freedom. This is the one mindset that has not changed since she became Queen.