Lory didn’t understand what they were talking about as her mind was still stuck on ‘Zhao Li Xin’ and ‘marry’. Her body stiffened as she didn’t know how to react to such a situation. She didn’t think she had the right to question or stop him on that matter. 

Zhao Li Xin turned to look at her as he felt the hand inside his palm turn cold. He got scared when he saw her stiff expression. He didn’t want her to misunderstand him. He gently lifted her chin and said firmly, “I’m not marrying anyone…”

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His words settled her chaotic minds. However, she also knew the consequences of rejecting the Emperor’s order. She worried for him, “But… The Emperor…?”

Zhao Li Xin’s heart softened when he saw her worried face. He cupped her small face and stared into her big beautiful eyes. Seeing his own reflection in her clear eyes tickled his heart. 

“No one can force this lord to do anything he doesn’t want to do, not even the king or God,” He said solemnly as he softly caressed her cheek. “I am the only one who can decide who I want to be with… “

“Take her home. Keep her safe. No one is allowed to enter Ninjing Manor without my permission. Kill if you must!” He sternly commanded Mong Yi. He let go of her hand and turned to leave.

“Yes, Milord!” Mong Yi respectfully accepted the order.

Lory’s heart still trembled from his touch. She hadn’t wanted him to let her go. Her heart ached badly. She hadn’t felt like that in a long time. Although the pain was different from what she felt when she left Lucas, it still hurt so much.

Lory wasn’t stupid as she quickly knew what the feeling was. She lifted her head and looked at Zhao Li Xin’s departing figure. He had covered a distance. She subconsciously ran towards Zhao Li Xin leaving Mong Yi stunned. The subordinate didn’t have a chance to stop her.

“Li Xin!” Lory yelled.

Zhao Li Xin halted his steps. He turned around and saw a small figure desperately running towards him. Lory hurled herself into his arms and clung to his sleeves. She was too scared to let him go, “I’m coming with you… no matter what happens, I’ll be with you!”

“It’s dangerous, Ri Yi. I’ll do something bad…really…really bad,” Zhao Li Xin felt like someone had kicked his heart as so many emotions swirled within him. He was happy, worried, scared, and perplexed. He wrapped his hands around her waist and said sadly, “You might hate me after this…”

“No! I’m not that weak, idiot!” Lory blurted her thoughts without care. Determination filled her eyes. “I’m stronger than you think. You will do what you need to survive. If I must choose between you or them, I will choose you in a heartbeat!” 

Lory knew what it took to survive in this cruel world. She knew his hands weren’t clean but neither were hers. She remembered her father’s words from long ago… 

‘Kindness without understanding is a stupidity’

‘Kindness without strength is a burden’

‘Kindness without acceptance is hypocrisy’

“I’ll stay with you until the end. No matter what happens…” She said solemnly as she looked into his eyes. Her words were her vows to him and she would carry those words until the end as promised.

Zhao Li Xin didn’t know how to respond. Joy surged within him. He gave her a dazzling smile and lifted his hands towards her, “Then come… I’ll protect you.”

Lory took his hand. A vibrant smile spread on her face, “Let’s go!”

Mong Yi was touched by the scene before him. It was almost enough to make him want to burst out in tears. His lord always wore a blank face whenever he walked into battle. Zhao Li Xin tended to look hollow and empty like the Grimm Reaper. There was no joy, excitement or even satisfaction when he fought. Everything was mechanical and he ensured to leave nothing behind when he was done.

Mong Yi could see the change in his lord as he took Miss Luo’s hand. The cold frozen mountain within his lord had melted. Mong Yi and his brother had prayed for this day for a long time. They never wished for their lord to become the emperor or rule the world. Such power could only bring him loneliness and heartache. They hoped for more…and it seemed like their wish had come true because of her. Mong Yi couldn’t even measure the gratitude he felt towards Lory.

Mong Yi sighed in relief and smiled happily. He then used his Gin Qong to catch up with his lord and Luo Ri Yi.

Zhao Li Xin and Lory walked together with linked hands. They didn’t care what others thought. Zhao Li Xin tore down his weak prince persona and glared at anyone who dared to look at them. The chill he evoked was enough to scare the maids and eunuchs to their bones. They didn’t dare look up at them.

They could hear the music and people chatting as they got closer to the main hall. Lory stopped to fix her dress and hair, “How do I look?”

Zhao Li Xin nodded seriously, “Beautiful.”

“Thank you…” Lory blushed with embarrassment at his seriousness. She didn’t know Zhao Li Xi had it in him.

“Come…” He led Lory inside the main hall.

Fortunately, Zhao Li Xin’s table was far from the other princes’ table. It showed his place in the palace and the Emperor’s heart. Lory pulled her hand from Zhao Li Xin’s. She didn’t want to be the one to cause a commotion. Zhao Li Xin was disappointed by the action. 

Lory caught his reaction. She rose her eyebrows and said, “Not now.”

Zhao Li Xin could only follow her wish. He sat at his table while Lory poured him a cup of wine. Her heart exhilarated. She was nervous about what would come. She worried about Zhao Li Xin’s safety. She wished she had her Gift so that she could create a shield to protect him or create a small tsunami to wash away the place by calling to the wind and water. She cursed the damn serpent for losing her powers.

Lao Min Na watched Zhao Li Xin and Lory from her table. Her eyes brimmed with anger and hate. Xiang Feng Ran also watched Zhao Li Xin from another table but her expression was filled with longing and yearning. Xiang Feng Ran was happy as she was to become Zhao Li Xin’s consort that night. Xiang Feng Ran couldn’t stop smiling as she felt her wait was over. She kept fidgeting as she was engrossed in her own delusion.

“The Emperor has arrived!” The guests stood up simultaneously at the announcement. It took a moment for Zhao Li Xin to do it reluctantly. The Emperor wore his usual yellow robes with a dragon embroidery on his chest. The golden crown on his head shore brightly in the light. His gait was strong and stable as expected from a monarch. The Empress, who walked beside him, wore a red dress with a golden phoenix embroidery. Her phoenix crown was adorned with gems and pearls. Everyone kneeled on the floor and bowed their heads as the Empress and Emperor walked to their thrones.

“Raise,” The Emperor said once they sat comfortably. People got off their knees and returned to their tables at the command. 

Royal Consort Ying watched the Empress with jealousy and envy. She had yearned for the position for years but was unable to achieve it. Her temper and impulsive nature dissatisfied the Emperor, not mentioning the fact that they had an on and off relationship.

There were times the Emperor wished to send her to the cold palace for her conduct but always stayed his hand as she was from the Ying clan and was Zhao Qin Feng’s mother.

Lory examined the Emperor from her chair. She suspected he could be in his late fifties but he barely looked forty because of his cultivation. He was a handsome man for an elder. His body was tall and muscular for his age. One could tell he was very handsome as a young man. However, his eyes… his eyes were cruel and sinister. They were the eyes of a person who only loved himself.

It was no wonder Zhao Li Xin turned out the way he did. Having parents like the Emperor and Royal Consort Ying could either break you or turn your heart cold.

Lory secretly reached out for Zhao Li Xin’s hand. Zhao Li Xin was sipping wine when he felt a small soft and warm hands tightly grasp his left hand. His mouth unconsciously curved up in a smile. The wine cup and his wide sleeve covered half his face as his heart swelled up in happiness.