Renjiro leapt onto the power cycle and revved it and lyra hopped on, the power cycle took off and lyra squealed in delight before putting on her helmet, renjiro slowed down the speed of the power cycle so he could have a discussion with lyra before they got back to the noble area.
''what made you decide to let her stay with you, are you sure your mother would accept it'' renjiro asked
''you shouldn't bother yourself with that, I am sure my mother will understand and I had no option than to let her come with us, I mean we couldn't leave her here after she said all those, plus she so cute''
Renjiro was shocked, he couldn't believe that last line was coming from lyra, he felt the urge to retch.
''moreover what did you head into that abandoned building to do'' he asked
''I told you that was none of your business, it involves my family. That aside why were you being chased by that weird man, you are lucky no one from school saw you, it was so embarassing'' lyra said with a laugh.
''I caught him having sex with a woman, which I later found out to be married. She asked him to get rid of me so others wouldn't find out about it, well that's what happened while you were away''
''what about that bag you have been carrying around, what's in it'' she asked
Renjiro swallowed down the wrong hole and fell into a coughing fit almost losing complete control of the power cycle. He eventually managed to regain himself and cleared his throat. ''why do you ask''
''seeing your reaction I know it must be something perverted, tell me about it'' she teased grabbing onto him tighter.
Renjiro swallowed painfully taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he didn't know if lyra did these things on purpose or if she was completely oblivious to her actions and the effect they had on him, he found that strange since she was always the first to know.
''what happen when that idiot threw that strange ball at you, you were out of it for a while'' renjiro asked
''it was a gross miscalculation on my end, I could have easily avoided it. When the ball exploded I inhaled some of the gases, and I lost all sense of direction it was also as if my whole energy pathways were locked, at some point I lost consciousness I think. From what I understand the gas needs to be inhaled or ingested for it to take effect'' lyra explained
''I see, it's getting a bit late and recently the continent hasn't been safe'' renjiro said and increased the speed of the power cycle, the area was just as deserted as it was when they headed for sunflower kingdom.
Renjiro decided to head over to lyra's family castle before heading home, it wasn't long before he could see the imposing figure of the castle, he stopped in front of the massive castle and parked, waiting for lyra to get out before he headed home.
''are you not coming in?'' lyra asked
''errmmm… no problem, lead the way'' renjiro said and followed lyra, the guards in front of the castle doors bowed and pushed open the castle doors welcoming renjiro into the grand castle, there wasn't much of a difference in this castle and the one he lived in except the fact that it was a bit less flowery and a bit more medieval and the guards here lacked the vibrance the ones at his family's castle had looking more mechanical.
He heard the patter of feet and it sounded like a child running, he already knew it was little Isolde running over to them as soon as she discovered that lyra was back, lyra beamed and lifted her into the air before proceeded to hug her tightly, little Isolde giggled and reached into lyra's hair removing clumps of dirt and a piece of wood from it.
''did you go on an adventure'' little Isolde asked
''yes I did, hope you had a good time while I was away'' lyra asked with a smile
''I did but you promised to take me on an adventure with you the next time you went on one and you didn't'' little Isolde said feigning anger
''I'm sorry the next time I go on an adventure I promise to take you with me'' lyra replied
This statement made little Isolde happier and she grabbed onto lyra tightly with her little arms, when she removed her face from lyra's neck she noticed renjiro's presence for the first time and squealed in delight, wiggling out of lyra's grasp and leaping into renjiro's arms.
''zephyrus!! I have missed you'' renjiro didn't have any clue on handling children so it was a bit awkward at first but he eventually warmed up to it and he also had to keep in character, so he lifted her up and gave her a hug
''I missed you too'' he said and tickled her on the sides making her giggle
''isolde! where is momma'' lyra asked interrupting their moment
''I don't know, but I saw a new girl in the castle she told me her name was Melora but she asked me to call her mel'' she replied
''oh shit!'' lyra muttered under her breath
''for a moment I completely forgot about mel''
Lyra called out to a maid and asked her to tend to little Isolde while she went to look for her mother, she walked through the castle corridors headed towards the castle laboratory with renjiro in tow when her mother suddenly barged out from one of the rooms along the corridor startling them.
''lyra shadowdusk what did you do'' she growled
''is it because of Melora, she was stranded and I had no other option but to bring her home'' she said in defense
''and you didn't think to consult me before doing that'' her mother's temper seemed to be rising with every sentence she made and renjiro took a step back wishing he never agreed to lyra's request.