Lory made Zhao Li Xin sit on a small round table in front of the main courtyard. Zhao Li Xin pondering, with his high-level cultivation he can hear the soft breathing inside the room. After they talking this long in front of the room none of them disturbed or awaken they all sleep just like a log.
"The servant really sleeps well weren't they?"
Lory smiled cunningly "I put jasmine incense in the room, it makes them sleep better and rarely awake at night"
"Oh, it's good for you and good for them too" Zhao Li Xin praised her.
"Exactly!!"
He knew behind her quiet demeanor she actually quite mischievous, what kinda maid who likes sneaking around just to have some fun "I hear more servant got killed even some concubine got expelled from Lao Manor"
Lory put down her mug on the table "Yes, they are" Lory brows furrow "Because the fight between Lao Min Na and Lao Fei yan everything just become chaotic"
"It's not safe living here…" Zhao Li Xin warn her
Lory exhaled deeply "I know but I can just leave without reasoned…..even if I just run away I need to prepare a good plan"
"You can just work for me, it's safer and I could give you a raise"
Lory's eyes bulged "Are you offering me a job?"
"Yes I am…," he said nonchalantly.
"How about triple?" she said jokingly
"No problem!!" Zhao Li Xin said without reluctance, forget about triple he can give her fifth time than her original salary. Money is the last thing his concerned.
"Seriously?" Lory disbelieved.
"Yes, of course…." Zhao Li Xin laugh he surprised she worry about money maybe her salary is really small in this Manor, even though Prime Minister Lao is the first official but he had so many wives and a lot of children no wonder he needs more money for them "Is Prime Minister Lao not paid you enough?"
Lory shakes her head "No, the paid is not so bad but it's not hurt to have more money"
"Oh, I never thought you'll be someone who cares about wealth?" he teased her, he doesn't find it wronged for someone wanted more money, the imperial palace full of people like that and not just the servants even the concubine and empress also the same, including his 'dearest' Mother, that woman never had enough no matter how much money she had.
"Well, you need money to travel the world isn't it?" Lory said casually as if that's normal things to do.
"You want to leave, why?" Zhao Li Xin annoyed with her idea to leave alone, silently decide to follow her if that ever happened "You don't like to stay in this country?" Zhao Li Xin though if she wants to live somewhere he will take her there no matter how far it is.
"No, it is not like that…."Lory chuckle "The world is big isn't it...I want to see more places, the river, the mountain, and the city when I still have time," she said with a melancholy smiled "If I'm lucky, someday...maybe I found a place that I could call home….."Lory leans her head with her palm, there is sadness in her eyes.
Zhao Li Xin knew she's sad but he never comforts anyone especially the woman "I could accompany you….." He said softly "I will stay with you as long as you need me"
"You will stay with me?" Lory asked with a quiet voice almost whispering.
Zhao Li Xin smiled gently at her "Every step of the way…."
Lory feel she sucked cold air, her tears fall on her cheek she takes a deep breath to calmed herself while wiping her tears from her cheeks but she can hold it the tears fall like a rainfall the more she tried to fight it the more she can hold it, she's not sobbing or make any sounds when she's crying but her tears never stopped it can't be stopped.
Zhao Li Xin got panic, he doesn't know why she's cry is it something he said is he said wrong things. This is the first time he feel clueless he doesn't know what to say or what to do but one thing for sure see her crying makes his heart aching more than he ever felt before, he used to hate it when women are crying in front of him the red eyes, the sobbing sounds, and that disgusting runny nose, seriously it's so ugly and when women try to cry beautifully it's even more like a joked for him he always had the urged to kicked them away but when she cries..... it's so painful and because she doesn't make any sounds is even more heart-wrenching.
He wants to make his pain gone away so he embraced her "Don't cry, please don't cry" he whispers in her ear desperately, Lory Grasped his collar tightly "I'm sorry..." she said with a low voice
[I'm really sorry…..]
____________________________________
It's a long night after 'King Ceremony' at Harland, the ceremony runs successfully without mistakes now all maids, servants, officials, and King's Men could sigh in relief. After this, The Crown Prince will take his first journey to seek blessing from God's if God acknowledges the Prince he will be blessed by the power of God's 'The God Sword' only then he would be allowed to come home and crowned as the Next King of Harland.
The night before Lucas and his Archknight leaving Herriond City Lory is in her room she prepares her backpack secretly, Lory's bedroom is humongous like a two-floor condo, inside there are circling stairs and her massive big bed including bathroom, vanity room, and walking closet is on the second floor the first floor is sitting area and lounge room like a bookshelf with study room area, small bar, and a small dining table is on the first floor, her room got big crystal chandelier and a very big french window with a long lavish curtain.
Like usual Lory wear long blue flowery dress and silver headband on her head, she never wears jewelry except in the party and formal meeting her only jewelry is a silver necklace from Lucas who was given by him when they were a child and is not expensive is only something he gave her from the arcade but this is the first present he ever gave to her.
When she gets down to the first floor she hears something outside the window, Lory frowned where is that sound coming she thought, Lory open up the window and there she found Lucas sat on the ledge watching the city view of Herriond, Lory sigh she got out from the window and tilt the ledge calmly she's not afraid with height since she used to fly and height would not be the reason someone like her and Lucas afraid of.
"What are you doing Luc?"Lory stands on the ledge when the cold wind blows her hair and her dress fluttering behind her, Lucas did not bother looking at her her eyes fixed to the colorful city view "It's beautiful, isn't it...Herriond" he said with a melancholic smile.
Lory follows his gaze to the city midnight view "It is…." she agrees, her purple eyes shift back at Lucas she takes a seat beside him "What's wrong?" Lucas not answered "Are you nervous?" she guessed.
Lucas sighed "I think I am…." he admitted it.
"Why?" Lory chuckles her twin brother is laid back and easy going from the outside but actually, he is worrywart he tended thinking too much and worries too much until he exhausted, maybe that's why he always looks tired.
"What if I messed up?" he said to Lory "What if I failed….." even though he knew his path would lead him to this moment but in the end he still anxious.
Lory blinked her big eyes innocently "Well….you'll be the first…" she raised her brows playfully.
"Not funny Lory!!" he glared at Lory.
she laughing at him"My God, Luc I think you thinking too much, seriously is not you're job to think is Fred's job's or at least clift….you should be more like Jay, acted first think later!" she smacks Lucas back.
"I know…." he chuckled when he remembered his nagging best friends, Lucas looking at Lory seriously "I don't want to disappoint them, Father...You…" he feel perplexed.
Lory looking back at him seriously she sees the same face, same eyes like her staring back at her
"It would never happen!!" she reassured him she smiled mischievously "Beside worst come to worst I just take the crown from you and become Queen, with Trinity staff on my hand and Girsha on my back even without God's blessing who can stop me?!" she acted arrogantly.
Lucas burst than he laughs out loud it took a few minutes for him to calmed down Lucas wiped tears on the corner of his eyes "No…No way sister, I would never give you that burden...Fargo and Fred would kick my ass" after he calmed his nerved Lucas heaves.
"Seven God Swords....yeah I can do this!" he murmured to himself, Lory beside him bitterly smiled she feel proud for him but also scared for him because she knew what he doesn't know.
"Okay then!!" he clapped his hand abruptly stand up "I need to rest for tomorrow!!" he leaps from the ledge to the roof next to him Lory watch her high spirited Brother but suddenly he turned around and gazed at Lory deeply
"Lory promised me when this all thing's over you will stay with me... every step all the way!"
Lory hesitated for the moment but then she smiled at him "I Promise!!"