The Sword Dance of Red and Blue Part 10

Her thoughts break off when Rhys approaches her and moves Kazuya away from her. For a moment she panicked but after making sure Kazuya was laying down, he made sure she laid down beside Kazuya. The bed was large enough so there was enough space between her and Kazuya. But, it still felt wrong for her to share the same bed as Kazuya when the one she loved was right there.

"Wait-" Lyn was about to protest when Rhys pulled up a chair and held her hand.

"You need to rest too." Rhys commented.

Lyn looked at him puzzled. But, she hadn't done anything.

Rhys sighs deeply and lightly flicks her forehead. "You probably didn't notice it, but you subconsciously used your magic and started helping Raven and Ark. Rather by the end of it, I think it was only your magic sustaining the light around Kazuya."

So that explains why she feel exhausted, even though she feels like she didn't do much to help.

"Using magic subconsciously is even more tiring than using it normally. You need to rest Lyn."

Lyn nodded. "What about you, Rhys?"

Just a brief glance at him, Lyn could see beads of sweat trickling from his face to his neck. If anybody needs to rest it should be him.

"What did you do last night?" Lyn asked curiously. She was in a bad state yesterday, so it was difficult for her to ask. But, the procedure Rhys did made her curious.

"It's an ancient form of healing that mages used in the past. When I was in the Rain Kingdom last, my brother did a whole clear out of our fathers old study and found several books on ancient magic. None of my other brothers use such magic, and we can't sell the books either. Rather than have it go to waste, I ended up with it."

Lyn chuckled. "Your brothers don't change. It's unfortunate that the Rain Kingdom is so far, otherwise I definitely would visit more often."

"I didn't think you'd go to my brother's coronation. Thank you for that."

"I had to go, brother Isaki kindly invited me."

"Brother?" Rhys raised his eyebrow. "I suppose since we are married legally, it's only right for you to call him brother but huh, it seems strange."

Lyn felt her cheeks redden. She was embarrassed of course. When Isaki insisted that she call him that, she couldn't say no. Moreover, after she did that it chased away the other noble women who had been planning on asking Isaki for a union between themselves and Rhys.

She thought it was strange that so many women attended the ceremony. They must have gone through each of the brothers carefully. Quite some time has passed since Isaki and the others have been in the public's eye, so other nobles most-likely wanted to take a wait and see approach.

However, Rhys is different. People knew who he was and with his status as a noble returned. The girls who only intended to fool around with him, were now 'serious.' But, with Isaki asking her to call him brother in front of everyone. It further clarified that he had set his mind on having her as his brother's bride.

"Hey Lyn? Are you listening?" Rhys face was suddenly close to hers.

If she wasn't red before she was red now.

Why does he keep doing this? Doesn't he know it's bad for her heart whenever he gets too near? But one glance at him and Lyn understands that he has no idea what effect he has on her.

"I-I am listening."

Rhys frowns and caresses her cheeks. "Are you sure your okay? Your voice doesn't sound good and why are you all red? Do you have a fever?"

Lyn could only stare at him dumbfounded. How can he fuss and dot on her so much, and still not understand what type of effect he has on her?

He suddenly drew back and looks away. "I think I should leave, your not going to get much rest with me around."

"So, you do understand?" Lyn mumbled.

"Well, not at first. But, even though your face is red, you don't have a fever so I figured maybe it was me again."

He almost sounds regretful. Lyn reaches over and grabs his hand again. "If you leave now, I will be very upset."

"That won't do, I can't have you being sad even for a single minute."

...…..

After she made sure that Rhys had also fallen asleep. Lyn looked around for her poncho only to find Rhys cloak. She looks at it for a few minutes before draping it around her shoulders. It was obviously too big for her. But, it was more than enough to fight of the cold and this way she kept his scent with her. Rhys scent calms her down, and her emotions were still a mess.

Rhys managed to help Kazuya this time, but what if it doesn't work next time? She has to quickly end the war with Jen and find a solution for Kazuya. She could tell from Rhys expression that he didn't think it would work, but it was better than standing by and doing nothing.

She exited the room and quickly walked down the hallway. It did not take long before she reached the back of the castle.

Lyn pulled out the sword of lycoris that she had just recently obtained. This sword and the phoenix sword should be compatible, and yet when she uses them together she has problems. Lyn takes a deep breath before raising it and doing a few practice swings. She had only been practising for a few minutes, when she felt a blade clash against hers.

It wasn't Rhys this time but her brother Andrew.

"I see, when you have something on your mind. Your blade becomes weak."

Her sweat fell hearing his cold words. Uh-oh, she has a bad feeling about this. However, when was the last time she had a sparing match with her brother? She looked at him hopefully and Andrew sighed before nodding.

Even though it was a practice match using real swords, the two of them know each other's movements well enough to keep a safety margin so nobody gets hurt.

Brother's blade is so heavy, no it's gotten heavier than before.

"If you are going to face your friend in battle, your resolve must be stronger. You must resolve yourself to kill her if it comes to it." Andrew suddenly spoke up.

Lyn felt her face turn cold hearing her brother's words. To kill, kill Jen? It took her so long to resolve herself to fight against her friend. But to kill her, to end her life?