When Lyn woke up, she found herself in an underground dungeon. Her feet shackled to the ground with cold metallic chains. The only light source seemed to come from the small window, but even then the room seemed darker than usual — a swelling pain in her head. Lyn wanted to raise her hand to touch her head, but they shackled her hands too. A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips, what a troublesome situation this is. Even though she voluntarily surrendered. For some reason, Lyn was having a hard time looking at the room. Huh? Is she still half asleep, there seems to be something wrong with her vision. She didn't know what to focus on, the swelling pain in her head, the pounding sound in her ears or the pain in her heart.

----

Earlier

Although the current fight was in her favor, the leader had no intention of backing down. These traps are a bother. Is he perhaps trying to wear down at her strength? Such a petty method of fighting, she dislikes it. Then again, people who tend to fight her do a good job not doing their research. She supposes it made sense though. Her existence was a secret for so long, and then it was abruptly revealed.

Lyn realized it on that day, on that day that the two of them finally became united. She noticed what he did and yet...she didn't say it. She didn't want to say it. Lyn was afraid that if she let the words slip from her mouth, then it would all.

She wonders if Kazuya knew exactly how dearly she thought of him. She always replayed back to that moment when she first regained her powers.

During that battle, Kazuya pulled her into a dream s.p.a.ce and held her. The warmth of his touch and the final smile he showed her, it truly isn't something she could never forget.

She loves the man named Kazuya to the point that she's become silly.

Lyn stabbed her sword through the ground causing red vines of blood to wrap around the remaining men, "Do you, still intend to fight me?"

"I have no choice. I knew you were strong, but I thought by wearing you down we could capture you. You two bring him in."

Ahh ahh, so she guessed their plan.

But, huh?

Lyn watched as they pulled someone out from what looked like to be a sack and she was met with auburn colored hair and silver-colored eyes. Although he was much older now than before, she knew right away who he was — the one whom she treated as a good friend since they were of similar ages.

"Zhu..."

"Now then Queen Lyn, I want you to deactivate your blood sword and come along with us quietly. Or do you want this man to die?"

"You guys really do fight cowardly," Lyn murmured...

Indeed, she's never seen such cowardly people until now. Lyn didn't have time to say anymore when she heard approaching horses.

It was Pupillam and Ashley alongside another Knight.

"Perfect timing you three. Please take Zhuo to safety. Take him back with you."

Ashley glanced over, and she nodded in understanding. The redhead got off his horse and made his way over. Lyn could tell the enemy observed him. But they seemed to understand what she was up to.

Pupillam frowned, "Queen Lyn. I shall act as a decoy and stop this--"

Lyn shook her head, "Pupillam, you're heading back. Bring f.u.kami, Beth, and Yuzuhara with you two," she looked back at the three who weakly tried to get up. That smoke bomb they used earlier, contained magical properties that harm people with Sound powers.

"No. I won't let you---," Lyn cut Pupillam off as she brushed their foreheads against each other, "Queen Lyn?"

"This is my command as your Queen, turn around and leave. Ashley use the medical herbs in my bag to tend to his injuries. Pupillam, take care of the rest."

Her aide looked as though she was on the verge of tears.

"You're too...much... I shall stay and watch until you leave."

Lyn nodded and the other two left carrying Zhuo, and she deactivated her blood weapons. The moment she did, somebody showed up but not cloaked, "Your answer?"

"I'll surrender of course. You can take me with you."

Kazuya's, she's sorry. But this is the only way for everyone to be safe.

Zhuo, she briefly looked at the spot where Ashley and the other Knight were moments ago. When he wakes up, he will be greeted by familiar faces. He won't wake up to a strange place and be exposed to brutality.

------

"So cold," Lyn's thoughts broke off when she hears a yelping sound beside her, and she focused her attention to the noise. Not too far from where she was, sat a man with a scar on his face as he rubbed his hands together.

"Rhys?"

What on earth was he doing here?

"Ah? You're awake," he made his way over, and Lyn blinked at how easily he removed the shackles. Rhys chuckled, "Relax, they only shackled you up. It seems like I'm not much of a threat in their eyes hmm.."

"So, what's with those?" Lyn referred to the shackles he slipped off.

"For disguise. I just made it seems like I was in a helpless state."

Lyn rolled his eyes, this mans tricks are as good as ever. She suddenly felt the swelling pain in her forehead increase, and she bit her lip. The pain made her feel incredibly dizzy, and her vision wasn't steady. She could barely make out Rhys figure. Rhys reached over and brushed his hands against her forehead; the color of red appeared in his fingertips. Did they hit her with something? They must have even though she went with them of her own free will. They most likely didn't want to take the chance. She supposes it was a wise move, after all even if she went voluntarily. Lyn can't say for sure that her powers wouldn't act up.

A deep sigh pa.s.sed her lips, what an annoying situation. How is she supposed to learn anything when she can't even see what she is doing? Lyn felt Rhys hands on her lips, and she glared at him, "Don't," she mumbled. Not now, not when she is in this helpless state and can't even fight back against him.

"I won't do anything," Rhys trailed off, "But I want to ask you something. Did you never like me before? Even just a little?"

Why is he asking her this?

Rhys scratched his hair with his free hand and deeply sighed, "It's just something Kazuya told me before, but well he was probably wrong. You've never once after sweet around me. Though I did manage to make you blush a few times, that's back when you were still naive. You quickly grew up though," Rhys trailed off, "You grew up, learned the ways of the world and became a better person. Honestly, it was quite fun for me, watching the start of your journey to where you are now. But even if you didn't change, the Princess Lyn I met back then was very cool. You couldn't control your powers; you were naive and got tricked easily. But you always held such a strong, determined look in your eyes. The light in your eyes has never faded even once."

Why is he saying such kind things? It's unfair of him to say things like this. He is so unfair.