The Princess And The Lord



They sat down on the leather couch that was large enough for eight adults, afterward several maids in black and white uniforms enter the room while slowly pushing an antique cart and then courteously placed the expensive-looking ceramic teacups on the marble table and began to serve. some extra snacks.

The stiff and formal atmosphere made Garrof and Lloyd look slightly uncomfortable as if emphasizing the differences between them, Garrof and Lloyd felt out of place in this luxurious room and what make things worse is that tea was not their thing.

In contrast, Zhao Li Xin and Lory didn't feel uncomfortable at all, Lory grew up in the same environment if not more opulent than this and when she was transported to another world she met Zhao Li Xin who had a lifestyle no less extravagant than an emperor, and Zhao Li Xin used all his resource to spoiled Lory to the moon and back therefore even then Lory was used to being served like a Princess.

Meanwhile, Zhao Li Xin himself obviously not new to being served especially when he become the leader of one of the biggest sects in the world, ever since then what treasures and luxuries had Zhao Li Xin never owned or seen? the amount of wealth and authority that Zhao Li Xin possessed could make any emperor mad from jealousy.

As a result, Zhao Li Xin and Lory remained indifferent, they were calm and relaxed even though they were placed in the same room with the previous and recent patriarch of one of the most influential families in the world.

"Could you please explain what happened? I heard that you were attacked by someone" Edmund clasped his hands together on his knee while staring intently at Garrof.

"It's more like a group of people, unfortunately, we're not sure who ordered them all we know for sure is they had a lot of resources and were well-trained" Garrof explains what they encountered but is deliberately keeping quiet about Luxemborough and Dragxtarn as they have no real evidence to back it up.

Everyone listened intently apart from not knowing which group had attacked, they could feel the trouble they were in was much bigger than they thought.

"We found this in the cave, we thought it belonged to Mr. Ethan" Garrof gave the cell phone they found in the cave where Maren was.

Lilly widened her eyes "Ah that's right it's Ethan's phone we've been looking everywhere it turns out this phone is in a cave"

Allen accepted the cell phone and then give careful examination to make sure of its authenticity before he give a preliminary conclusion "The phone it's broken but I think we can still recover a few the data from it but it will take time"

"Do what you can!" Hugo gave a firm order.

"Yes, sir!" Allen bow his head toward the old patriarch and Edmund and then he left the room.

"Didn't Mr. Ethan tell you what happened with him?" Garrof thinks that would be faster than fixing a broken cell phone.

Edmund sips his tea and then said: "Unfortunately, my son's memory is not clear after he wakes up from his coma, according to the doctor the cause could be due to trauma to his head but we are still waiting for any developments..." Edmund explained half-heartedly.

But actually, Edmund really hopes that Ethan doesn't get his memory back, he was certain that that way Ethan will be safer, and after he heard Garrof's explanation he realizes this matter is much bigger and much more sinister than he could imagine and what make things worst the S.A.I.N.T. is more likely the mastermind behind his son accident.

Even though he knows that not even the Hamilton family dared to take the risk to provoke a giant organization that might become the largest religious organization in the world.

"Well then!" Hugo suddenly clapped his hands "They must be tired, how about we give them a chance to rest and continue tomorrow" Hugo suggested with a friendly smile.

"That's right dad, They must be really tired how about letting them rest first," Lilly said with a pleading face.

Edmund had no reason to stall them he then waved his hand "All right, I won't waste everyone's time anymore. We have prepared the room for all of you to stay so have a good rest gentleman and...Lady" Edmund raised from his chair then help his father raise from the chair.

Everyone politely rose from their seats as Edmund and Hugo left the room first. After they left Lilly smiled brightly while holding his hand "Let me take you to your room!"

Hamilton Manor is a three-story building including the basement. Made of natural stone and wood with an artificial fountain at the entrance and a large swimming pool behind makes this building looks like an oasis in the middle of the desert.

Garrof was placed with Lloyd in a room in front of the swimming pool while Lory and Zhao Li Xin were placed in opposite rooms separated only by the large swimming pool.

Lilly also prepared clothes and snacks and left them to rest considering the tiring journey.

Lory had just finished taking a bath she changes her old clothes with brown wide linen trousers and a long-sleeved white shirt, Lory then search for Zhao Li Xin before she found the man sitting on the porch. 

Zhao Li Xin sat on the rattan sofa with his leg crossed on top of each other, his dark eyes staring blankly at the surface of the glistening pool, immersed in his thought.

From behind Lory put her hand around Zhao Li Xin's shoulder then lightly kissed his cheek [What are you thinking so seriously?] she whisper next to his ear.

Zhao Li Xin's expression instantly soften, he took Lory's hand then kiss the back of her hand softly [Not much...] he answered shortly.

[May you share your thought, Milord?] Lory ask coquettishly then dropped her butt next to him. Zhao Li Xin amused then put his arm around Lory's waist and pull her into his embrace.

[I was wondering what this pool is for, at first I thought it was for bathing but apparently, there is already a bathroom in our room so I thought this is a public bathing pool but it doesn't look like that because I didn't see anyone, coming to used it or maybe it's past the hour...or perhaps I was wrong?] Zhao Li Xin pinches his chin with a serious face.

Hearing that Lory burst to laugh [This is not for bath, Li Xin!] She smacks Zhao Li Xin's chest while laughing incessantly until her eyes become watery [This is for swimming, honey. People like to swim in the pool for fun!]

[Including women?] Zhao Li Xin frowned curiously.

[Well, of course!] Lory replied straightforwardly then she remembered that in Zhao Li Xin's world, most women can't swim they can't even let their clothes wet in public because it's considered to be very vulgar and more strangely even most female cultivators can't swim because of that reason luckily their cultivator gives the light-weight skill cause if it's not they might end up drowning.

[Wait, they did not swim together aren't they] Zhao Li Xin's face darkens.

[Uhm...as you can see that the relationship between men and women is much more open, and it doesn't have much separation between men's and women's conduct with each other unless you come from an influential family like Lilliane or myself especially, now that's a bit tricky, but even so, it still can't be compared to the rigid  society of an aristocratic family like Yang Xi Xing family and  don't start with the imperial family like Ming Yue Yin and yourself!]

Zhao Li Xin turn silent, these past few weeks he had seen men and women hugging and kissing in broad daylight on the street without caring whose going to see them. At first, Zhao Li Xin thought they were at least a married couple however, Lory explained that was not the case here.

Zhao Li Xin couldn't say that he fully accepted all the cultures and customs of the people in this world, but he at least took comfort in knowing Lory had her own restriction on how to behave with anyone outside of her family because of her family background.

Lory also added that even when they traveled incognito Lucas and the others were not allowed any man who had ulterior motives to get close to Lory, especially Fargo who claimed to know exactly how men's brains worked so Lory never gave a chance to get close to man more than a friend after all she was too young at that time and Lory herself was never interested with romance and dating after all she had other more important things to do.

[You like swimming?] Zhao Li Xin continues.

Lory thought for a while before answering [Not really, not like it's my hobby but because my 'Gift' is water so swimming is natural for me, but I rarely swim...] Lory pursed her lips remembering her past.

[Your palace must have a swimming pool like this too right?] Zhao Li Xin could only guess.

[We actually have three swimming pools, one indoor, one outdoor, and one on the rooftop but these three are rarely used, it's a waste of money if I may say, I don't know whose great idea it was to make that many swimming pools, do they think the royal family has nothing to do every day?] Lory snorted in complaint as she remembered a lot of places in the Cestine palace that had barely ever been used other than for royal events or some sort which is not often, but Fredhardt and the others said it was important to show the dignity of the royal family.

'Meh'

Because it took a lot of time just to sneak out of the palace area, not only did they have to avoid guard patrols, surveillance cameras, and others, but they also had to be troubled by the Cestine Palace massive area.

[I really can't wait to see the place where you grew up] A smile full of anticipation spread across Zhao Li Xin's usually cold and distant face making his handsome face even more alluring.

Lory smiled then rubbed her cheek against Zhao Li Xin's chest [The truth is I can't wait either though I wonder if everything will everything be the same or would it be any changes…?] She look downcast as she worries that her home might not be the same home as she remembers.

[No matter what changes, as long as the person you love lives there, it will forever be the place you returned to, a home] Zhao Li Xin comforts her.

Lory raised her eyes at Zhao Li Xin [You are absolutely right my lord] Lory narrowed her eyes.

Zhao Li Xin lifted his chin arrogantly [Of course, when this Lord is ever wrong]

Lory and Zhao Li Xin's laughter broke the silence of the night, a moment later the soft light of the pale moon caught Lory's attention she turned her eyes to the sky suddenly she felt melancholy.

[Do you think I'm ungrateful for missing my world when I was in your world and now I'm here, I start missing your world?]

Zhao Li Xin follow Lory's gaze, he then turned his gaze to the pale moon in the sky, a memory from the past flashed in his mind when he used to find Lory staring at the moon alone with a longing face.

Zhao Li Xin never understood the concept of love, whether it was between lovers, family, or friends, and because he didn't understand it he never craved it moreover felt it. It was not until he met Lory that he began to learn what those feelings were and gradually came to understand them.

Zhao Li Xin never thought there would be a day when she would miss the people of her world or the sights of her world although it never crossed his mind to stay in his world when Lory was gone as it would be a great torment for him, however, once a while when he was alone...the feeling of longing creep in his heart.

[I miss them too...not always though] Zhao Li Xin muttered.

[Did you.... ever regret it, for coming here I mean?] Lory bit her lip feeling a bit nervous and worried.

There's a faint tremor of amusement on Zhao Li Xin's lips then he chuckles [My silly wife, I was the one who made you promise me that wherever you go, you will take me with you and that you will never leave me behind, and just so you know my feelings have never changed, not even once since that day, and you can be sure of that]

A sweet, relieved smile brightens up Lory's brooding face [Yes, I guess we've stuck together ever since I save you in that woods, right]

Zhao Li Xin pokes Lory in the nose [That's right! Who told you arbitrarily to help a  weird stranger in the middle of nowhere, therefore even if you want to get rid of me now, I will stick with you forever, so give up my lady!]

Lory burst to laugh [I thought I had given up for a long time!]