The Princess And The Lord

It was already nighttime, the moon shining exceptionally bright without any gray clouds blocking the soft silver light that lit up the quiet night. Lory looked up at the sky as she thought about how long she had been in this world. 

It hasn't even been a decade since she lived in this world but so many things have happened, Looking back when she was stranded in this mysterious world Lory quickly realized that people were afraid of her appearance, the real Luo Ri Yi and her family were petrified when she first met Lory, and even after two days she lived with them they were still wary of her.

Lory later learned that people in this world never met people of different races therefore they would not accept someone like her who had snow-white skin, bluish hair, and purple eyes, so when Luo Ri Yi and her family coincidently died from the earthquake Lory then borrowed Luo Ri Yi's identity including her appearance which happened have more or less similar feature and the same height as her. 

After that Lory decided to become a servant in a noble family's house, simply because she didn't know anything about this strange world so based on her experience Lory decided to gather more information first, Lory didn't even care when she was given a contract as a slave since she wasn't the real Luo Ri Yi which means the contract meant nothing to her, if one day she decide to leave even without her powers Lory believed no one could stop her.

That's where her life as a servant begins, honestly being a servant is not an easy task especially in this world, Lory was surprised by how the slaves were treated, turns out once slaves were bought they naturally become the property of their master.

That means they had no right as human beings, they had no right to against their master so even if they were beaten, scold, or rape they had no right to refuted, even though Lory knew about this ancient practice from the old books but experiencing it firsthand was an eye-opener for her.

Knowing this Lory keep herself low profile, luckily Luo Ri Yi has an average face so the master and mistress of the Manor didn't pay attention to her, Lory then chooses a menial job that didn't make her interact with other people, like sweeping the garden, brush the floor and prepare firewood for the kitchen.

If Harland's people knew what she was doing at that time no one wouldn't believe her, Lory understands it would be hard for anyone to imagine a princess from a big country would do labor work, luckily she's not a normal princess, she should thank her father for raising her more like a warrior than a princess thus she had no problem to adjust.

Actually, doing labor wasn't that hard, once she got used to it, and it was even quite relaxing especially after Lory realized she was suffering from severe insomnia, turns out tiring her body actually made it easier for Lory to rest.

Soon years passed in a blink of an eye, however, she was still not used to the monotonous and sort of peaceful kind of life. After years of living in the fast lane, always rushing, always making plans, always setting goals, suddenly with a snap of the fingers everything stopped and that's hard to accept. 

Without power, title, obligation, friends she feel lost, luckily she still has Girsha if not she couldn't imagine what would happen to her.

Lory begins to wonder why she's alive if she doesn't have any purpose, no reason to be here, but her question was unanswered, and life goes on, days go by, seasons change, the sun rises and the moon shines, time passes as if nothing bad happened, well, nothing did happen in this world since is not her world but Lory still feel agitated, she was haunted by dreams, she feel restless without any reason, she tries to be normal but it was hard.

Still, she had no other choice but to quell her feeling and move on. Stranded and alone, separated from her home, her people, and her family. perhaps this is her punishment for making deal with the Demon, for risking the whole world just for one person....perhaps, she deserved it.

Just as he was resigned to his fate, she met Zhao Li Xin Then he met the Mong brothers, the palace of the Four Kings, Ming Yue Yin, Yang Xi Ying, Li Mo Zhen, Yuan Shao, and so many people, suddenly he was surrounded with many friends.

She cries, laughs, mad, and fell in love, once again her life is filled with new memories. Who would have thought she will find the people she wants to protect again, and so she finds a new purpose, a reason to live.

A solemn smile bloomed on her beautiful face, for her to have a second chance in life she must be the luckiest woman in the world, for that she feel very grateful.

Suddenly a firefly landed in her arm, Lory glanced at the fireflies then she looked over her shoulder seeing Zhao Li Xin and Girsha still sleeping which is rare especially for Zhao Li Xin, perhaps he is just too tired, or perhaps it was caused by something else.

Lory took the shawl on the chair and wrapped herself before slowly opening the door and leaving the bedroom, she saw the fireflies circling around her as if beckoned her to follow, the fireflies then flew towards the pond, with calm steps Lory followed where the fireflies went. 

The cold wind howled as the cold weather made her cheeks even paler, under the pale moonlight her long wavy bluish hair became even more distinct, the white robe she was wearing fluttered along with the blue knitted scarf slung over her shoulders.

Lory was standing in the middle of the garden when dozens of fireflies lit up the garden and slowly the fireflies gathered and moved in a circle before long the light of the fireflies merged into one big light and transformed into a human form.

"Arthea…" Lory called in a whisper.

Arthea's silver hair fluttered as the wind blew, her gray eyes gazed gently at Lory "It's been a long time, Lorient" she greet Lory warmly. 

"Really? I thought you were busy conveying your prophecy to my husband" Lory mocked, she didn't appreciate Arthea's actions because since then Zhao Li Xin has been obsessed with protecting her even more than before and he is also eager to increase his strength in a short amount of time as if he was chased by something. 

"And why do you think he did that?" Arthea raised her eyebrows playfully.

"Nevertheless, your help is unnecessary" Lory expressed her displeasure as she didn't want Zhao Li Xin to be burdened more than he already was.

Arthea feign ignorance and shrugged nonchalantly "The king seeks for guidance, so I oblige to grant him some wisdom" Arthea clarify her action calmly.

Lory's brows furrowed, "I thought the great Seeress from Djevelskrin Only guided the King of Harland" 

"My job is to guide all of Lucient's heirs since the first King Lei Yu's descendant is married to Lucient's heir, he has every right to ask for my guidance"

"So in short it's all because of me?" Lory's expression darkened.

Arthea widened her eyes, she gave an obvious expression at Lory "Of course It's all because of you, Lorient…you should know that by now" she state the fact.

Lory felt Arthea words pierce through her heart but Lory had no words to argue because Arthea was right, "I know, the calamity that Lazarus brought to this world is on me, you don't need to remind me Seeress!" said Lory in a self-deprecating tone.

Arthea was silent, she looked up at the heavens and calmly said: "No, it's not entirely because of you..." she muttered.

"What do you mean?" Lory narrowed her eyes. 

"Even though it was you who caused this to happen but you weren't the one who started it, not at all…" Arthea shook her head and sadness flashed across her gentle face "It starts with a pitiful child who never wish for the role he was given, loneliness made him wishing something he never should, feeling broken and hurt he became the victim of his own cruel fate as he gradually lost in his obsession… he was finally drowned by his own sin" Arthea's speak in daze expression who knows if she talks to Lory or herself.

"Who are you talking about?" Lory was perplexed for a moment then suddenly she was hit by epiphany, "Are you talking about Lazarus, the King of Serpent Lazarus?!" Lory's voice chokes by surprise. 

Never in million years Lory would guess that Arthea knew Lazarus personally but then again, no one knows how old Arthea really is, her origins are also covered in a veil, even Girsha doesn't know about Arthea origin and lastly, Djevelskrin was the place where Lazarus is locked up and Arthea is the guardian of that place, if Arthea and Lazarus have a connection then what relationship they had, how long they had been known each other?

Arthea silence confirms Lory's suspicions and her heart beating like crazy as she carefully asked: "Who is Lazarus to you?"

Arthea suppressed a bitter smile, "A mistake..."

Lory looked curiously but Arthea didn't say anything else even though she knew Lory was eager to hear her explanation instead she said: "Find the Crimson Lightning sword, and you will know everything"

disappointed with Arthea's answer Lory took a deep breath to quell her annoyance, Lory knew she couldn't force Arthea any further. "Did you come just to tell me this?" Lory thought Arthea might have other reasons.

"No" Arthea answered easily "I came to ask you something"

"That's new" Lory sneered sarcastically.

Arthea didn't bother by Lory's sarcasm, with a serious face she asked "You know where the last Trinity fragment is so why don't you take it?"

Lory was stunned then she fell silent, she took his eyes off Arthea. 

Without feeling discouraged by the silence Arthea continued "Once you are freed from the curse, all your powers will return so you have a chance to fight Lazarus, I think you know how important it is" Arthea reassured Lory.

Of course, Lory knows however, the price for it ... Lory shrugged and casually said: "I don't want to hurt Zhao Li Xin,"

Arthea was startled she came to understand lory action then she look down dejectedly "Even so, I think he will understand"

Lory presses her lips together and sighed "But that doesn't make this any easier..."

"No, is not" Arthea agreed. "But you can save everyone, Lorient" arthea words are etched with sorrow.

Lory tightened the shawl around her shoulders, then she gave profound smile, "I can try...."