The Princess And The Lord

Lory was excited about attending the royal banquet. She was curious to see if they were different from the ones held in her old world. She also wanted to know if the royal palace here was different from Cestine Palace.

The Emperor's harem was filled with women, most of who had their own courtyards. Rumor had it that the Emperor had over two hundred women in his harem. Lory wondered how the Emperor made time for the women when he was still needed to rule the country.

What Lory didn't know was the Emperor didn't necessarily need to make time for them. To him, the harem was there for his fun and to create heirs. The Empress was the only woman in his harem who was treated differently from the rest, as her title made her the mother of the country.

Lory used to be escorted by Fredhard when she attended royal balls in Harland. This was because Lucas used to skip such events and run off with Jay and Clift. Lory would complain whenever her brother did it but she could never stop him from leaving. 

She knew Lucas hated formal gatherings as everyone expected him to behave in a certain way as their future king. Being the king heir was hard enough but adding the fact that he was a Lucient descendant pushed everything to a whole new level.

Lory knew her brother needed more time to adjust to his position. That was the reason she gave him more leeway. Fred and Fargo, however, thought she spoiled Lucas too much and she could deny it. Her words spoke louder than her actions when she dealt with Lucas. She was soft with him. It was something everyone, including her bother, knew.

[You seem excited…] Girsha commented as he watched Lory rummage through her drawers [Are you gonna prepare? What kinda dress are you gonna wear?]

Lory frowned [I'm a maid, silly. I'm gonna wear a maid's uniform. I just want to make sure everything ready for tomorrow as I need to wake up early...]

Girsha pecked a grape on the table [I always forget you are a maid. He never treats you as one]

Lory clicked her tongue to disagree with him [Why are you saying that? I serve him daily you know…]

[I'm a beast but still… I know that's not how a servant treats her master] Girsha rolled his eyes [You guys are more like a couple than a master and his servant]

Lory's mouth twitched as she couldn't deny it. She knew Zhao Li Xin treated her differently but she didn't think she needed to expose him as he never explained much. They both had a tacit understanding to let things flow naturally.

[Zhao Li Xin can't be called a good man but he's good to you. You should learn a few things from him as you are too soft. It was fine when we were in Harland because you had your father, Lucas, and everyone to protect you. However, this is a different world and people here are more savage than those in our world] Girsha warned her with a serious tone. 

Lory arranged her maid's uniform on a table with simple accompanying accessories suitable for a maid. She turned around and sat in front of Girsha once she was done. She smiled calmly at him [Girsha, is there something you need to tell me?]

Girsha stop pecking the grape and casually lifted his head [What makes you think that?]

Lory held her chin and gave him a mischievous smile [Because you are acting the same way father used to act in front of me...]

[You are thinking too much...] Girsha scoffed as he pushed the grape back to the plate. He flew from the table and perched on the window frame before saying swiftly [Goodnight Lorient…]

Lory quietly watched Girsha leave. She stood up and headed to the window. She leaned on the window frame looked at the dark night. The moon dimly illuminated her room. She exhaled loudly and rubbed her arms as the cold wind seeped through her skin.

[Goodnight Girsha...….] she said softly.

______________________________________________________

 Lory woke up with excitement the next morning. She was once again like a kid ready for a school trip once. She wore the new uniform Zhao Li Xin had prepared for the banquet. It was odd that the uniform wasn't as good as the uniform Zhao Li Xin gave her the first time she arrived at Ninjing Manor.

Her new uniform had a dull dark green color and was made out of low-grade material. However, the inner robes were still soft to the skin and comfortable. The fact that she had the new uniform was too bizarre for Lory to comprehend.

Zhao Li Xin always got her beautiful dresses in soft colors as he knew she liked such clothes. The materials were of high-quality material and not the low-grade material commoners used. Puzzled, Lory couldn't help but ask Zhao Li Xin about the dress.

"It's appropriated for the royal gathering," The man answered her with a righteous face. Lory obediently nodded when she heard Zhao Li Xin's explanation. She didn't understand the social culture and manners of this world and easily believed him without question. The servants, on the other hand, helplessly sighed to themselves as they could tell their lord was lying.

He prepared the ugly dress for a childish reason. Zhao Li Xin didn't want anyone else to pay much attention to his little savior. He knew how men behaved and the thought of someone looking at her inappropriately irritated him.

It was common for women to be grabbed off the streets once a noble master or young master found them attractive. The poor woman would then be tossed aside like trash once the man lost interest in her. The semi-luck women would be placed in a desolated courtyard to spend their days. 

Zhao Li Xin entered Lory's room without knocking like usual. He was courteous enough to wait behind the screen divider, "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" Lory appeared before him. She looked like a normal noble maid with her hair tied in a high bun. She didn't wear a hairpin or any other jewelry and had very little makeup. She was nervous as the rules of this world were stricter than her world. Any mistake she made could implicate her master. "Is this okay?"

Zhao Li Xin was disappointed the uniform didn't do the job he thought it would. When Lory changed her eyes back to her original look, her face became a little better looking and attractive. Her clear big eyes made her look more innocent and her easy-going and warm demeanor gave her a gentle and warm aura. Although she wasn't as beautiful as Lao Min Na or Ying Xuan Xie, she still had charm.

It was the first time Zhao Li Xin regretted his decision. He thought it wasn't a good idea to take her to the palace but he knew it was too late to cancel his attendance, not mentioning the fact that his little savior really wanted to attend the banquet.

"You look fine. Let's go!" Zhao Li Xin sighed as he beckoned for her to follow her. Lory didn't notice his low mood as she was drowning in excitement.

Lory heard juicy rumors about what happened during the royal banquet from the Lao Manor's maids. They spoke of noblewomen who tried to bring each other down at banquets, or how noble families tried to matchmake their daughters to men without caring if the men were single or married. This was especially true if the man held a higher position than them. She believed that was the reason Zhao Qin Feng and Zhao Mu Fan had many concubines.

Royal balls in Lory's world weren't as fun as the ones in this world. Yes, there were a few nobles there who tended to be annoying but since the royal family, especially the king, was known to be upright and righteous, no one dared to cross the line. Disrespecting the king meant facing the fury of the Archknights, the king's most loyal and fearsome guards.

Zhao Li Xin halted his steps and reminded her, "You can't take your pet with you."

"Okay. Don't worry about that." Lory nodded easily. Zhao Li Xin was glad she wasn't dejected by his suggestion. He knew Lory loved her pet and it loved her back. The bird would either follow her everywhere or it would be somewhere close to her. Zhao Li Xin felt the bird was always watching her. It was an odd feeling to have since the bird was a normal bird with no power but he couldn't shake the feeling that the bird more than ordinary.

Zhao Li Xin and Lory used his carriage to the palace. The carriage wasn't too shabby but it wasn't too grand either. It was just appropriated for his station or at least that's how commoners saw it. The inside of the carriage was a different story altogether as it was more spacious and lavish.

The wood was cut from a special tree that made the inside warm during winter and cool in summer. The floor was covered with fur from a black bear. The sits were made out of soft cushions and were covered with many pillows. The was a small wooden table firmly secured in the middle of the carriage. The carriage was also equipped with small storage areas in the corner filled with tea, wine jars, snacks, and blankets.

Zhao Li Xin also installed different amulets and talismans for protection in and outside the carriage. These ensured the people inside the carriage would be safe in case of an accident. The unfortunate victim may have a few bruises here and there but they won't die. Zhao Li Xin was obsessed to keeping her safe as he knew he had too many enemies who won't hesitate to hurt her if they know about her.

Lory would peek out from the window curtain as they drove by. The roadside was piled with snow and commoners in cheap cloaks watched with awe and envy as the carriages lined the streets. They would murmur to each other as the carriages passed. Some commoners recognize Zhao Li Xin's carriage as it was considered too modest for a prince.

"Isn't that the Sixth Prince's carriage?"

"I guess so… Is he attending the banquet?"

"I guess so… This road only heads to the palace."

"This is the first time the sixth prince is attending a royal banquet in a year."

"Do you think it is because of Miss Xiang Feng Ran? I heard a rumor she was fond of the Sixth Prince but he rejected her."

"Who would reject Miss Xiang...? Unless he is ashamed of himself. Don't you know the Sixth Prince is a waste? He can't cultivate and is terminally ill. He probably won't live for long."

"What?! That's too bad! The Sixth Prince is the most beautiful man in the Kingdom."

"What's the use of beauty if he is weak and ill?"

"Ssst... Low your voice. He is still a prince no matter what…"

The road was cramped with many carriages forcing them all to move at a slow pace. Lory heard the gossip and turned to look at Zhao Li Xin who sat elegantly with half-closed eyes. He looked calm and relaxed. It was like he hadn't heard the bad gossip. Lory knew he didn't care about what they said as everything they saw or thought was deliberately controlled by Zhao Li Xin.

"You look very pale and weak. It is no wonder they think you are dying," Lory was surprised. She knew he had taken something to look the way he did. 

Zhao Li Xin gave her a cunning smile, "Good. As it means the pill is doing its work…"

"What do you think would happen at the banquet today...?" Lory propped her chin on both hands as she smiled mischievously.

Zhao Li Xin smirked. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he said softly, "Havoc..."