The Princess And The Lord

Huo Long didn't answer her "Come – come, let me show you something" he excitedly beckoned Lory to move closer, Huo Long pushed a part of the vault surface, suddenly she heard the sound of iron sliding and a second later the vault slowly opened, Huo Long take a step back, his eyes lit up with joy just like a kid waiting for his birthday present.

affected by Huo Long enthusiast Lory curiosity increased as she waited for the vault door to opened in motion, and what she saw inside the vault made her heart leaped to her throat, she blinked her eyes repeatedly to make sure she wasn't dreaming, her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in utter shocked "This…..how could it be?"

"You like it, I made it myself you know….?" He winked mischievously but Lory didn't pay attention to his antics as she stared deeply at the vault. Huo Long rejoiced, this was exactly the reaction he had been expected, it meant his work wasn't in vain.

Lory's face turn blanch, she stepped forward as her heart pounding erratically 9n every step she took, she never thought she would see this again especially in this world, suddenly all the past memories flashed through her head. He saw a bunch of men and women wearing black and dark purple military uniforms gather in a perfect row and they all look gallant. 

She remembered Lucas standing beside her, his usual messy bluish short hair was comb slick back neatly, he wears the same silver armor cover with black leather and a long violet military coat make him look more mature and serious but he still can't hold himself to winked playfully at Lory.

Lory lifted her head, she saw his father sitting on his throne he looked regal as always then she remembers her father lowering his gaze towards them his eyes were filled with pride and joy for both of them and Lory was overwhelmed by her father kingly aura he looked mighty and very strong just like a mountain, she thought nothing could hurt him, nothing could kill him, he is the great King Marcus he should be unstoppable.

How wrong she could be….

She shut her eyes and took a sharp breath "Lucient royal military uniform"  she muttered.

Inside the vault there's was a black outfit with silver armor cover with dark violet long military coat and black pants, the lucient insignia was embroidery at right upper sleeves with silver thread it even has the same silver chain broach on the chest that she used to wear, the uniform similarity to her old uniform was terrifying. 

Lory's hands trembled when she touched the round button of the coat, she struggled to keep herself together as her eyes begin to wet, Lory never knew she would see this uniform again in this lifetime left alone in this world, actually, she already forgot about this uniform existance.

Huo Long smile brightly "Is exactly like your old uniform in your old world, isn't it?" he could barely contain his smile.

"Yes, it's very similar to every last detail…." Lory sincerely praised Huo Long, but she didn't know why he made it?

"When the first time you wear it?" Huo Long curiously ask.

"When I was fifteen, it was in mine and Lucas coming of age ceremony," she said without looking at Huo Long.

"Will every Prince and Princess in your world wear armor during their coming of age ceremony?" Huo Long cocked his head, though he is a beast, but he had enough understanding of what coming of age mean for human, it should be a party to welcome young men and women to the society, it should be a joyful and fun party …or at least that the custom in this world.

Lory smile and shook her head lightly "No, just us, I think…" 

Lory traces the coat as she reminiscences the day she wore this uniform, she remembers how happy and proud she was "Other royalty would wear luxurious long dress or suits during their coming of age ceremony, they would cover themselves with high-end jewelry and held an extravagant party with all the richest people they could invite and celebrities as well" Lory chuckled softly when she remembered how she oblivious the difference between her and other royal families in the world.

Lory shook her head lightly, she feel embarrassed knowing how silly she was "However, it was different for us rather than fancy clothes we wear royal military form complete with armor nonetheless, the people of Harland obviously had a different expectation for their future heir"

  "Sounds….heavy, I'm sorry" it was dawned to him that Lucient heir was expected to be mature at a very young age, she wasn't raised to be a frail flower inside the glasshouse, she wasn't a canary inside the golden cage. She was meant to soar to the highest sky and protect the world, in a way is a sad fate for a young girl.

"Don't be, it's one of the happiest days of my life" a bright smile bloom on her face as she remembered that day " That day we said our oath in the name of our ancestor and God to served and protect Harland kingdom and all the people whether they rich or poor, we promised we only raised our weapon against the wicked to protect the weak, it was a faithful day that I never forget…I know my fate was set in stone"

"It's a heavy burden to carry," said Huo Long.

"Indeed but…is a privilege too, my father said all the people question themselves the reasoned for their existance, for the entire life they searched the meaning of their life but not us, we are Lucient we know why we here the moment we were born Father said we are quite lucky…" Lory stifles a giggle.

Hu Long didn't know if he should agree with her or not.

"When the last time you wear it?" he shifted the conversation.

"When I was fifteen" lory softly replies.

"You only wear it one time and you never wear it again?" Huo Long could feel the bitterness in his own words.

"I don't have the chance, even though I'm looking forward to wearing this outfit again but a lot of things happened….and one day I realize that I don't deserve to wear the uniform ever again," Lory said in a forlorn tone.

"Why?"

"I release Lazarus for my own selfish wish, I risk not only my people life but the entire world as well, I broke my own oath"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, silly girl"

she let out a sigh then turn her head at Huo Long "How do you know Arthea?"

Huo Long stifle a laugh "You are quick-witted just like she told me" 

"Not really…it just too obvious," Lory said calmly, she didn't look impatient or anxious because she knew it's all meant to be. She's been in this position before and she knew it useless to struggle, the grip of fated was tighter then chained heavier than a mountain, more certain than the rising sun, she can't run away.

Lory's fortitude never ceases to amaze him, other people will try to run, den,y or refuse to believe it but she faces everything head-on, she never stops fighting even if the chance of winning was slim she didn't stop. Huo long had been live for thousand years and seen many humans come and go but no one like her.

"We old people knew each other, the truth is we all connected, You, me, that boy, Arthea, Lazarus and many other people, we all like a piece of jigsaw puzzles scattered in the universe, we complete each other even when we don't know it" he had a profound acceptance in his eyes that she saw in her father, Mother even Arthea they all give her the same look.

"You didn't answer my question" Lory raised her brows.

"I know him for a long time according to human calculation" he grinned while rest his hand behind his back "She's the one who told me about you, about your part in this world and what your existance meant for this world and your world as well"

Lory squint her eyes curiously "About me?" 

"A Princess that meant to die so the other could live, or so they said" he stifles a chuckle.

Lory expression remain calmed without a shred of fear or shock, this wasn't the first time she heard someone predicted her death, Lory knew she should have died long ago but the twisted fate brought her here  instead 

"That's getting old, you know" Lory joked lightly

"Well, it doesn't mean it had to be you who died, you have changed Lucas fate why not changed your own destiny, afterall no one can't predict the future your highness…not even Arthea," Huo Long said profoundly.

"At what cost? Zhao Li Xin life, Ming Yue Yin life, or Yang Xi Ying….who?! where there's death, there always gonna be death?" Lory clenched her fist as she swallowed down her frustration "I don't want to responsible for other people life and death anymore"

"You are right, that is not your responsibility and is not your ability either" Huo Long raised his shoulder and open her hands "We all free followed our heart and making our own decision, whatever that is… you should realize by now that you can't safe everyone Lory…no one can't" he sighed.

"I can still try…" she stubbornly said.

___________________

___Two weeks before the coming of age ceremony__

During her visit to the neighboring country, Lory was taking a break in the fancy café near her hotel when suddenly she was approached by local people.

"You are princess Lorient right, I heard you will celebrate your coming of age, congratulation!"  a beautiful female with red hair and cute freckles approach her with a smile

  Lory was just about to order for lunch but she can't be rude in another country so she put down the menu and smile kindly "Yes, thank you very much"

"That awesome, you are more beautiful than on the tv!" she shrill excitedly, lory smile modestly but perhaps the red hair girl's voice was too loud it raised everyone's attention and immediately they swarmed around Lory's table. The stupid princess thought foreign people wouldn't recognize her if she wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, and a baseball cap but she underestimated her own fame and now she pays the price.

"Your highness can I take your picture?" she already raised her phone before Lory give her permission.

"Can I shake your hand" another girl shake her hand, once again they didn't mean to ask permission.

As the presentative of her country Lory cannot be rude so she maintains her smile "Yes, sure….okay" she heard a lot of clicking sound from the phone camera and one by one people shaking her hands.

  "Your highness whose designer you will be wearing in your coming of age ceremony?" a woman with stylist dress suddenly and thick make-up raised her voice.

"De..designer?" Lory repeated the question confusedly.

"Yes, is it, Paulo, or Romano, I think Audrina Vellucci is still the best for women's dress" a woman with blonde curly hair chime in.

'Who' Lory's smile becomes stiff.

"No I think Vivianne still the best" another young girl rebuked, and now they glare at each other.

Lory feel pressure under their heated expectation "I…I…I think is a national designer" Lory was not sure why are they asking about her clothes, obviously she would wear a military uniform in her coming of age so she got nothing to prepare, is it different with other people, are they not wearing their national outfit?

  "Oooh, Harland does have a lot of famous designers, I like Zeil, and Collette though, eh which designer you choose your highness?"

"Ummm …." It's amazing Lory still able to maintain her smile.

"Ah, what shoes you will wear?" another young female suddenly shrill excitedly "You have long slender leg like a model, you should wear stiletto, oh a scarpin shoe will be great for you too your highness"

"No, cone heels will make her highness looks more elegant and sexy" a girl suddenly chime in.

'Scarpin, cone, who is that? She will wear military boots!'

"Princess, whose jewelry designer you will wear?"

Another weird question throw at her, Lory almost lose her composure. It's dawned to her that her ceremony is unlike any other people, she still contemplates should she explained it to them or not, but it would take a long time and she was….hungry.

'Girsha help me!' Lory returned to the only one who always stays with her.

'Heck no, you own your own girl!' he refused mercilessly. 

The crowd was getting bigger and they got more excited, Lory saw the cafe manager sour face she had a feeling she will be banned from the café after this.

"Princess which celebrity you will invite, please tell me you will  invite Jason, is Luciano will be there too?" 

"What about Mark Reid, he's so HOT!"

Suddenly all the young girls squeal simultaneously.

While Lory looked blanked "Who?"