530 The Lost Princes Part 1

It all came back to him again but maybe because he recalled how everything went downhill after that visit, he could not dodge the next attack. Rhys landed with a thud against the tree and he felt fresh blood trickle down from his forehead.

"It is a shame, but I think I should end this quickly before you cause more problems in the future. Initially, I only intended to cripple you and bring you back to her so she could decide your fate but." His gaze dimmed. "You still look at me with such disobedience and arrogance."

Before Kain could strike his blade a flash of black hair appeared before him. It was not Lyn but it was somebody else he was familiar with. The perfect example of a noble lady, graceful and intelligent, a beauty too. But right now those traits of a noble lady were overshadowed by the strength she displayed.

Gabrielle blocked the blade with her bare hands.

You know Rhys, Gabrielle is so strong! I want to be like her.

It was something Lyn told him back in the Rain Kingdom. At the time he merely dismissed it. How is it possible? But the evidence is in front of him.

"Is this not enough now fourth master?" Gabrielle wore the usual indifferent look on her face. But Rhys could not miss her cold and icy tone.

Kain seemed startled but suddenly laughed. "Aha of course. This is rich though, to think even the reaper will intervene. That girl is she that special?"

Rhys frowned when he heard those words. Repear? It was a title given to a single person in the Empire. Somebody who would take lives with no mercy when the individual is already on the verge of death. They used a large scythe-like weapon too.

Gabrielle's gaze darkened. This was the first time Rhys saw this look from her. The usually kind and gentle woman emitted a dark and menacing aura.

"Leave."

"So frightening but I don't wish to die early." Kain trailed off. "Well, little brother you lucked out."

They stood in silence for a while before he watched as Gabrielle started the fire.

All that noise and disturbance did not wake Lyn up at all. It was only when Gabrielle started to cook by the fire did she get out of the tent. Despite her groggy state, she scanned the area and immediately understood. Lyn was currently patching up the girl's wounds as she explained the situation. It was only a hand-wound from gripping the sword but Lyn was frantic when she saw it.

At the same time, Lyn explained the situation to him. Rhys couldn't believe what he was hearing. This woman was raised not only to be the King's wife but also his sword and shield. The Mist Kingdom people are inhumane. But now it made sense why this woman fell for Prince Andrew. Raised in an environment like that, can he blame her for falling in love?

Gabrielle's gaze remained on him. "I came to fetch you two. Please return to the castle right away."

….

Mist Kingdom Main Castle 

Rhys did not get any answers from her after she said they both needed to head back. But he judged it was serious for her to come this way. After learning how vital she was to Prince Andrew, a few things that made no sense to him gradually became clearer.

It was only when they were standing right outside one of the doors in the guest wing did Gabrielle pause. It looked like she wanted to say something but shook her head and simply opened the door. Her behavior puzzled him but he quickly let himself in. There were other people in the room, some elderly medics who were tending to somebody on the bed.

"Prince Isaki." Lyn mumbled beside him.

His eyes widened and he quickly walked over. It was a name he had not heard in so long. After what happened he heard that Kain wrote up a rule forbidding people from mentioning them. Besides, it did not matter, they were dead. Even if others mentioned them nobody could turn back the clock and bring them back to him. He already accepted it a long time ago, those people are gone.

His precious brothers are gone, this memory is too painful. It became too much for him so he erased his own memories. He no longer wanted to remember any of it. 

It's not possible to see them again. 

Rhys watched as Isaki stirred awake. When the man opened his eyes and tried to get up, Rhys felt his heart stop beating. It's him, it's really him. 

Gabrielle stepped forward. "You shouldn't move so much."

"Gabrielle?" Isaki said weakly.

"Yes. How do you feel?"

"Not so good."

He looks very pale but that did not matter. Even if his brother looked like a walking corpse, the reality is he is alive now. One of the people he longed to meet is alive.

Rhys finally found his voice and spoke up. "...brother."

At that comment Isaki turned his head, he looked equally surprised but his gaze softened. "Ah, I see are you angry? You must be. But I have not seen you in so long, let me have a good look at you." He extended his hand out.

Rhys somehow managed to walk forward.

Isaki gently caressed his cheek. "Indeed how could I make a mistake? My little brother, you have grown so much. I am sorry for everything, how you must have suffered. I can see it in your eyes. It was painful wasn't it?"

It was painful, there were many times where he felt like screaming. Why? Why did that happen? His brothers were the most gentle people in this world who truly cared for the well being of the Empire. They wanted to make a change for the sake of the people. So why did God repay them like that? 

Even when he erased his memories, he still woke up at night with terrible nightmares of a bloody scene. But because he erased his memories the people's voices and faces were not clear. It was an event that traumatized him to the point he could not erase it completely. It was engraved into his very soul.

"...you're alive.."

Isaki pulled him into a hug. Rhys felt a warmth that he had not felt in so long. A warmth that he could not forget even with his memories erased. "I am sorry, but please forgive us."

His eyes widened when he heard those words. Rhys felt his heartbeat increase and his palms turn sweaty, as he repeated the word us in his head. 

It can't be, can it? But this person who is supposed to be dead is in front of him and alive.

"The rest…"

"--are alive."