Chapter 1613: Loving and Losing

Fortunately, one plane was still circling the island; they were waiting for Lory and Zhao Li Xin to emerge. When they appeared alive and unharmed, a palpable sense of relief washed over everyone on board. When the cabin door opened, Lory entered, still carried by Zhao Li Xin.

The moment they stepped inside, the King’s Men and several Noxcra agents hurried forward to receive them.

"Thank goodness, are you alright, princess?" one of the soldiers asked anxiously.

Lory waved her hand and smiled. "Yes, I’m fine."

The soldier’s eyes drifted toward the man carrying her. Recognition flickered across his face. He knew Zhao Li Xin, or rather, the identity he had presented to the world: the renowned painter who had recently earned King Lucas’s favor and recognition.

What puzzled the soldier, however, was the intimacy between him and Princess Lorient. As far as anyone knew, the painter already had a wife. The familiarity between them seemed far too close to be dismissed as mere courtesy.

Catching the curiosity in his expression, Lory formally introduced Zhao Li Xin to her people, "I believe you already know who he is," she said calmly. "This man is Zhao Li Xin, my lawful husband."

The cabin fell silent as they hurriedly connected the pieces in their minds. A realization soon dawned upon them; it seemed Raven Jane, the painter’s wife, and Princess Lorient were the same person. After all, there was no way the palace would allow anyone to pose as the prince consort, even in pretense.

Everyone, especially the Archknights, valued Lucient’s name above nearly everything else. Their reputation, built upon generations of authority, honor, and strict discipline, was guarded with unwavering vigilance. Anything that might have threatened to tarnish the dignity of the Lucient name was never tolerated.

Which could also mean their princess had returned a long time ago, and this truth had been carefully concealed by the King and the Archknights.

They did not feel wronged, for they understood that it was not distrust that had kept them uninformed, but caution. In times like these, with enemies closing in from all sides, the fewer who knew the truth, the safer it would be for both the princess and the kingdom. Rather than feeling aggrieved, they were filled with immense relief and joy at the return of Princess Lorient.

The presence of the King alone had already eased much of the fear and uncertainty weighing upon them. But with Princess Lorient’s return, bringing a second Lucient heir back to stand beside them, they felt safer than ever before. And as though that joy were not enough, the princess had not returned alone, but accompanied by yet another formidable figure.

Their gazes drifted toward Zhao Li Xin. The mysterious prince consort stood carrying her in his arms like a silent storm, his mere presence commanding an authority no less imposing than the King’s himself. In that moment, they became certain that this man was no ordinary figure.

Their wary look at Zhao Li Xin immediately changed to admiration and awe. The soldier immediately straightened his back. "Please forgive my impudence, Prince consort."

Since these people were Lory’s own, Zhao Li Xin gave them a slight nod of acknowledgment. However, his face remained taut, his expression colder than usual as he was still troubled by the thought of almost losing her.

Fortunately, they took no offense. After all, Zhao Li Xin’s eccentric and taciturn demeanor was already well known among the public.

"Li Xin, put me down. I can walk on my own," Lory said, tugging lightly at his collar.

He spared her only a glance before carrying her deeper into the cabin without a word. Upon reaching an empty seat, Zhao Li Xin sat down and placed Lory securely on his lap, acting as though her protest had never been voiced.

’Uh-oh... he’s sulking,’ Lory bit her lips nervously.

Everyone watched Zhao Li Xin and Lory with curious yet amused expressions. It appeared that the bond between the princess and her consort was exceptionally good.

Meanwhile, seated on Zhao Li Xin’s lap before her own people, Lory’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato. Their current position was far too intimate and painfully embarrassing for her, yet Zhao Li Xin remained utterly indifferent, refusing to let her move away. Perhaps this was his way of punishing her for scaring him.

Ahhh, Lory wanted to cry, but she had no tears to shed.

Fortunately, everyone sensed her discomfort. Out of courtesy, they tactfully averted their gazes and busied themselves elsewhere, pretending not to notice at all.

Lory bit her lower lip, mortified. Yet when she lifted her gaze to protest, the words died in her throat. Zhao Li Xin’s jaw was still taut, his expression darker and tighter than usual.

She knew he was still upset, and she dared not aggravate him further. In the end, Lory lowered her head and quietly swallowed her protest.

After a while, Lory finally braced herself. "Husband..." she asked cautiously, "don’t you want to change your clothes?"

"Is it bothering you?" Zhao Li Xin’s eyes were etched with threat.

Lory shrank her neck timidly. "No, of course not...it just, I thought you’ll be uncomfortable."

Zhao Li Xin had been scorched during the battle. The robe hanging loosely from his frame was untied and carelessly worn; hence, Lory could guess that he had hastily summoned an old robe without a second thought while rushing to save her.

Still, even in such a disheveled state, his charm remained undiminished. Rather than detracting from his appearance, it lent him a raw sensuality and wild, unrestrained allure that made him even more dangerously attractive.

His advancing cultivation had refined him further still. His hair had become darker and silkier, the lines and blemishes upon his skin had disappeared without a trace, make him less human and more akin to a celestial being.

But the transformation was not merely outward. Lory felt it the moment she leaned against him. Beneath his flesh, Zhao Li Xin’s body felt harder and more resilient, like tempered steel. Even his aura had changed, deeper and more formidable than before, restrained yet carrying a quiet pressure that lingered beneath the surface.

Although the change was clearly beneficial for Zhao Li Xin, it only gave Lory a headache. Seeing how dangerously attractive he had become, she remembered why, in the past, despite his notorious reputation, there were still crazy girls out there who would throw themselves at Zhao Li Xin.

Lory was now considering making him wear a mask whenever he went out.

Just then, one of the soldiers approached them with careful steps, a phone held respectfully in both hands.

"Your Highness," he said with a slight bow, "His Majesty wishes to speak with you."

"Oh?" Lory accepted the phone and placed it against her ear. "Yes, Luc?"

The moment the call connected, Lucas’s anxious voice rang out.

"Lory? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

The rapid barrage of questions drew a faint smile from her.

"I’m fine." Her gaze drifted toward Zhao Li Xin. "Li Xin saved me..."

A long sigh crackled through the phone. "That’s good." The relief in Lucas’s voice was unmistakable.

Then his tone shifted, turning more serious. "Come back soon. We have a lot to unpack. That man, Enzo Vellacio... he has some rather interesting things to share."

"No." Zhao Li Xin interjects abruptly.

Lory shifted her gaze toward Zhao Li Xin.

His expression remained taut, his voice calm but firm, allowing no room for refusal. "Your condition will be examined as soon as we arrive at the palace."

Lucas, hearing Zhao Li Xin’s sudden interjection, immediately caught the underlying meaning. "Lory..." his voice sharpened with concern. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I just—" Lory was prepared to dismiss the matter as she always did.

But Zhao Li Xin cut off. "Her power fluctuated abnormally." His eyes remained fixed on her, his tone cold and measured. "She is unable to control it properly. She nearly died because of it."

A second later, Lucas’ scream filled the cabin, "WHAT?!" Lucas’s shocked shout nearly burst from the phone, "Lory, what happened? Did you lie to me, AGAIN?!" ℯ𝔴ℯ

"No, it’s not like that, I—" Lory hurried to explain, but Lucas cut her off with a scolding tone.

"You promised you would take care of yourself. You know there is nothing more important than your safety. If you cannot do that, then forget about ever leaving Cestine Palace again!"

Lory bit her lip and looked at Zhao Li Xin with an aggrieved expression. Though displeasure still lingered within him, his heart inevitably softened when she looked at him with those pitiful yet beautiful velvet eyes.

In the end, Zhao Li Xin let out a resigned sigh.

"Well, it’s not entirely Lory’s fault. She only realized it during the fight, and she was unharmed, so..." Zhao Li Xin said, his voice finally easing. "In any case, we need to determine what caused her power to fluctuate. Whether it was due to an internal issue or an external influence, we must identify it so we can prevent this from happening again."

"Yeah... alright. You’re right." Lucas’s voice steadied now that he had confirmed Lory was safe. "I’ll have the medical team ready to examine her as soon as you arrive."

"Okay then, I’ll have the medical team ready to examine her as soon as you arrive."

After a brief exchange, the call ended, and the cabin fell quiet once more.

Lory tilted her head and flashed Zhao Li Xin a radiant smile.

"Thank you, honey~" she said, wrapping her arms around him coquettishly.

Zhao Li Xin looked down at her, annoyance and amusement flickering through his dark eyes. A helpless sigh escaped him before he raised a hand and lightly flicked her forehead.

"Do not think I will let this matter go so easily," he said, his tone carrying unmistakable finality. "No cake for three days."

Lory nodded obediently, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yes, yes, yes~" she chimed sweetly. "I’ll listen to my husband.~"

Yet inwardly, she had already concocted dozens of plans to infiltrate the palace kitchens; she could also use a delivery service to buy a cake and send it somewhere in secret, then ask someone to send it to her. Surely Lilly and Lydia would help her, right?

Lory laughed out loud, thinking about her ingenious plan.

Little did she know, Zhao Li Xin had already guessed what was running through her mind. That mischievous glint in her eyes was obvious; undoubtedly, this naughty princess was plotting ways to outsmart him.

Zhao Li Xin let out another long sigh, a trace of helplessness flickering across his face.

But honestly, what could he do to her? Truthfully, Zhao Li Xin was not even certain he possessed the resolve to carry out such punishment if Lory were to tug at his sleeve and plead with those soft, pitiful eyes again. In the end, all the blame rested with him alone since the beginning.

Who told him to fall so deeply in love with her that he was unable to extricate himself? Who was he kidding? With his situation, he had long been bound to lose to his wife.