The Princess And The Lord

In the midst of the smoldering flames a man strolled casually shrouded in black smoke that shielded him from the flames, that person was Lazarus. he finally showed himself after seeing how much destruction he had created but there was only a hint of joy to be seen in his snake eyes.

"What a familiar sight," he muttered in a flat tone.

However, Zhao Li Xin remained indifferent as if he didn't notice Lazarus' presence, Lazarus also didn't mind Zhao Li Xin's behavior as if he already expected, Lazarus give a long stare at Zhao Li Xin for a long moment before letting out an exaggerated sigh.

Lazarus then said: "It's funny how the Gods bestowed us with unimaginable power yet they gave us hearts that are weaker than most people, you think it's only happened to you? oh no, your ancestor Lei Yu went through the same thing as you....and so do I, perhaps that is the actual curse of us..." Lazarus smiled sinisterly but Zhao Li Xin remained silent, the only thing he did was hug Lory's cold body with a detached expression that avoided the outside world still his reaction did not surprise Lazarus.

"By the way, do you know why it is so easy for you to be affected by the Crimson Lightning sword?" Lazarus' eyebrows rose, and as expected he didn't get any reaction from Zhao Li Xin but that didn't discourage him.

"Well, first it's obvious because of our blood, what do they say? Blood is thicker than water? Well, that means you unknowingly inherited the trauma from your ancestors...crazy right? but if you went to Lory's world they got all experiment about this but I digressed" Lazarus waves his hands and laughed like it was just a mere joke then he said again "the second reason is, we are back to our weak hearts again, do you know what triggered Lei Yu's madness?" Lazarus knew Zhao Li Xin wouldn't answer but it doesn't matter.

Long story short he failed to protect his wife, even though he knew so much dissatisfaction, jealousy, and hatred from his own people towards his wife, the good emperor Lei Yu refused to give the death penalty to all his subordinates who were proven to harmed the empress, and it was because he was determined to maintain the peace of the kingdom and also he doesn't want to further damage his wife's reputation as a lowly vixen that seduce the emperor, therefore, Emperor Lei Yu chose the middle way where he only demoted those people or simply exile them out of the kingdom just like a good emperor should do....how foolish" Lazarus snorted while speaking sarcastically.

"The foolish emperor wanted to trust his people so badly, he believe they will learn their lesson and didn't go any further, he naively thought they will stop....obviously they don't...so because of his stubbornness he ends up killing his own wife, and also his children as a result regret, pain, anger, and disappointment merge but is not to others but instead to himself eventually it drove him into madness causing him to slaughtered all of his people...I mean all of them...men, women, elderly, even innocent children, no one - nothing was spare...." Lazarus's eyes glint in slight amusement.

"I saw what happened to my brother's world and how he destroyed everything he had sworn to protect, actually I don't really care because it's not my job to interfere with the situation in that world but I don't understand why he can be so out of control just because he lost his family, it should be enough for him to kill all the ungrateful subordinates he has and after that, he can find another woman to make a new family and it's done, right? I was really confused by his actions until....it's my turn" Lazarus' said with a deprecating smile.

"The Gods have always been like that, they decide our destiny arbitrarily without giving us a chance to reject it, and actually I don't care until they make a cruel joke by giving me false hope as if I could choose my own life..." Lazarus's face was ravaged with despair and anger then he let out a loud snort "What a terrible joke!"

Although Zhao Li Xin didn't seem to hear what he was saying, however, Lazarus knew that Zhao Li Xin could still hear what he was saying it was just that Zhao Li Xin was too much in grief he choose to close his mind unfortunately this made it easier for Lazarus to manipulate him. With calm steps, Lazarus approached Zhao Li Xin then his upper body leaned forward towards Zhao Li Xin and he whispered in his ear.

"Your lover has died and no one can bring him back that's the harsh reality you have to face but I can make you avoid that reality"

Zhao Li Xin remained silent but couldn't help but be affected by Lazarus' words subconsciously his finger slightly twitch, and soon the corner of Lazarus's lips curl into an evil smile, "You just need to accept me and I will return your beloved Lory to you, say 'yes', and when you open your eyes, you will see her waiting in your home, as she always does, there be no pain, no worry nor fear oh what can happen in the future, you two don't have to fight so hard anymore, isn't that great?! You can always be together, and once again you  can feel her kisses again, her gentle touch, her warmth...isn't that all you wanted, just say 'yes' my child...say it and she will come back to you..."

Zhao Li Xin's hands trembled violently, she looked at Lory's lifeless face and the excruciating pain that seemed to tear his heart apart made him feel nothing but unbearable grief, in the end even if it was just a dream even if it was a lie living but in a dream with Lory was much better than face this world alone without her,  even though he would pay for this grave sin in eternal damnation but Zhao Li Xin was certain it wouldn't get worse than this.

"Say yes!" Lazarus hissed like a snake.

______________________________

The sound of birds chirping woke him, the sun shone on Lory's face then covered his face and groaned.

The first thing that crossed his head was 'What time is it?' second thing 'Why didn't anyone wake her up?'

suddenly Zhao Li Xin's heart-wrenching expression flashed across her mind, Lory quickly woke up from her slumber, and she shouted anxiously, "Li Xin!"

But there was no one around then Lory swiftly checked the wound on her chest but the wound disappeared like it never existed Lory fell silent and then frowned as she wondered what is going on here.

Lory swept her gaze around her carefully, she was once again dumbfounded by the familiar place that she remembered as his father's study in the Cestine Palace, but why she was here when her soul was supposed to be disappeared, Lory found herself sitting on the sofa feeling shocked and confused.

Lory then realized that she was wearing a simple short blue dress adorned with diamond beads sprinkle on her skirt, she remembered she seemed to have worn this dress before but it was a long - long time ago.

Lory stood up from the sofa then walked toward the round mirror then stare at her own reflection for a few seconds then Lory got even more confused she wasn't sure whether she was dreaming or dead but if she died her soul should be destroyed so she wouldn't able to go to the afterlife, Lory then saw the mark of a small bluebell on her neck.

"Druid emblem?" Lory gasped, could it be that the spell her mother cast on her once again prevented her soul from being destroyed if that was true then everyone was in big trouble, Lory was well aware she couldn't let Lazarus have her soul!

"Lory, are you awake?"

Her entire body instantly stiffened, she stared at the balcony with wide eyes, while the white curtain fluttered blown away by the wind. Lory's heart started pounding unconsciously she clasped her hand together so tightly, she couldn't believe what she was hearing even though she missed this voice so much and had dreamed of this voice so many times but she knew she couldn't able to see that person again unless she was dreaming or dead but Lory wasn't sure that what happened to her.

Lory walked to the balcony then slowly pushed the curtains away and there she found her father sitting on the chair next to the small round coffee table sipping his favorite Grand Blue Ivory coffee in a comfortable manner, he was cool and dignified as she remembered.

Lory was a bit apprehensive, she doesn't want to ruin this moment, therefore, she was worried when she speak everything will disappear, alas she knew she can't just stand there forever so Lory opened her mouth and called softly "Father..."

Marcus's movement stopped for a second then he lowered his coffee cup then turn his head at her "You're finally awake" he greeted her warmly then he beckoned her "Come here Lory, sit here!"

Lory obediently walked to the chair opposite Marcus then carefully pulled the chair and slowly sat down, Lory could smell the distinctive aroma of her father's favorite coffee and noticed white smoke looming over the coffee cup not only that she could also smell the sweet aroma of colorful macarons, cupcake, and biscuits that neatly arranged on the three-tiered ceramic plate that place in front of her there was also a beautiful porcelain tea set that seemed to be prepared for her cause his father rarely drink tea.

"You don't like the tea?" Marcus' voice startled her but Marcus didn't seem to notice so he spoke again in a warm and gentle tone "It's earl gray, it's perfect for making your favorite lemon tea... you don't like lemon tea anymore?"

"No, I mean yes!" feeling confused his movements were a bit sloppy as he hastily poured himself a cup of tea and then added lemon and honey as she usually did in the past but it felt a bit strange now, Lory felt this time was different from her previous dream about her parents unlike before this time feels too real to the point it makes her uneasy.

Marcus watched Lory with interest before taking another sip of his coffee, at the same time Lory nervously took a sip of her tea soon after the sweet and sour taste spread in her mouth giving off an almost unsettling familiar taste, Lory gently put down his teacup then he glanced at his father under her long eyelashes.

A smile spread across his face as Marcus gave her an understanding look, "You have a lot of questions, don't you, my princess?"