The Princess And The Lord

"This is not something a cultivator can do," Lory's eyelashes fluttered over her purple irises and moved part of her bluish hair behind her ear.

"Gifted people?" Bei Li Yan couldn't help but ask. His excitement was still peaked.

"They are people who borrow power from the outer world to manipulate the energy around them. However, each person can only manipulate the energy that has an affinity to them. For me it is water," Lory moved her left finger over the teacup and the pink water twirled between her fingers. She than snapped her fingers and the water plopped back to the teacup.

"And wind…" The teacup in Lory's hand was cut into pieces by an invisible blade. Her hand was slightly wet from the tea. Zhao Li Xin used a clean handkerchief to wipe her hand as Lory continued, "These are some of the powers Gifted people are blessed with. Curses and spells are an extension of our natural powers."   

Bei Li Yan and the others gasped in awe. Lory had revealed another mystery about her. They were excited and bemused by her powers as it was different from that of cultivators.

"That's amazing! I never thought I'd see anything like it. Milord, did you know about this too?" Bei Li Yan hit his knees with excitement. Being the Vermilion King Palace, his job was to dig out people's secrets. He had seen so much over the years that he was immune to people's secrets. However, Lory's power made him cheer like a little boy.

"More or less…" Zhao Li Xin shrugged.

"It is not that amazing. They're is a limit to my powers. I need to find all of Trinity's fragments to be able to use my full power." Lory was embarrassed by Bei Li Yan's reaction. He made her feel like he was applauding her for counting to ten.

"Okay. Back to the curse…" Lory sighed heavily. She was having a hard time maintaining the conversation. "Qian Mu Ting's situation has made me think of the possibility of someone else having abilities like mine. This makes me worry about everyone's safety."

"Is they're anything we can do to avoid the curse?" Zhao Li Xin asked and watched Lory rub her lips with contemplation.

"Their is... Now that you mention it!" Lory's eyes lit up with excitement. She clapped her hands as she was struck by an epiphany. "It is possible to block medium grade curses and a few high leveled ones."

"So, their is a way?" Jin Hao muttered as he rubbed his chin.

"Yes! How could I have been this stupid?" Lory hit her forehead with exasperation. She ignored everyone's strange stare and muttered, "Their is a way and it doesn't have to use up much mana. What is needed is a few blood drops, a magic circle, gemstones... Yes, this might work…" 

[Girsha!] Lory called. The bird was on a small boulder pecking at a grape. He gave Lory a cool glance as she rose from her stool and jogged towards him. Lory bent over and placed her arms on the boulder. She tilted her head and wiggled her eyebrows [What do you think? Can we make protective amulets?]

[You'll need the boy to carve the amulets since you only learned the design but you can't make one from scratch. Their is also the detail work which you suck at, but I believe the boy can help you with that] Girsha reminded her. He knew she tended to get over-excited when she got a new idea. Girsha always had to be the sound of reason whenever this happened as Lory could be reckless with her ideas.

The rest watched with baffled looks as the two spoke the Harland language which the others didn't understand. Bei Li Yan pulled Ming Yue Yin's sleeves as she seemed to know Lory better then there lord and whispered, "Psst… What are they saying?"

Ming Yue Yin shrugged [I don't know. That is the Harland language]

[Har… What?] Bei Li Yan leaned closer to Ming Yue Yin as he questioned. Jin Hao and Mong brothers also subconsciously leaned towards Ming Yue Yin to learn more.

[Harland is the country she comes from] Zhao Li Xin chimed in. He was offended they thought to ask Ming Yue Yin and not him yet he was the husband who knew some of his princess's secrets. However, their was something that kept bothering him, "How do you know so much about her? Did Lory tell you?"

"Lory?" Bei Li Yan wondered who's name it was.

"No… You remember when I was in deep slumber and Lory woke me up? At that time, I dreamed… No… It was a vision in the form of flashed images scrolling at high speed..." Ming Yue Yin ignored Bei Li Yan's question. She shook her head and put the teacup on the side table. Her eyes were on the ground as she tried to recall.

"What dream?" Zhao Li Xin frowned suspiciously.

"Her life…in the other world," Ming Yue Yin raised her chin and looked at Lory who was having a deep conversation with Girsha.

"What kinda life?" Zhao Li Xin frown deepened. Lory never told him what she had been through but he was certain it wasn't all pretty.

Ming Yue Yin took out her wine flask and sipped directly from it. She let out a long sigh, "I can't tell you because it is not my place to tell you this. But I can tell you this… I stopped mopping over my pitiful fate after I knew what she has been through…"

"She never tells me anything..." Zhao Li Xi Xin moved his gaze to Lory with a gloomy expression. 

"I believe it is not because aunty doesn't trust you... I think it is because it is too painful. It isn't easy to talk about a painful past...and aunty lost everything…" Ming Yue Yin said with a low voice. She watched as Lory smiled at Girsha with excitement. They're conversation seemed fun. Ming Yue Yin smiled bitterly and muttered, "I don't even know how she can still smile, be kind, or have the heart to care for someone else." 

Zhao Li Xin looked at Lory with an undesirable expression. Jin Hao and the others also became quiet. They had all been through painful experiences that turned them cold, bitter, and cruel but this was also normal for a human. It was normal to shut you're heart and not feel after going through a traumatic experience. Lory was the only one who seemed different.

Lory was still kind, selfless, and warm. She saw the best in others even when they were not worthy. Ming Yue Yin didn't know anyone else who could do the same.

Lory finished her conversation and took long strides towards them with a delighted expression. She looked up and felt their was something wrong as they were all staring at her. Lory halted her pace and subconsciously covered her cheeks with her palms. Her confidence took a nosedive as she wondered if they were trying to adjust to her face. "What? Do you think my face is weird?"

Zhao Li Xin rose from his sit, met her and embraced her small body. His whisper filled her ear, "No. You are so beautiful."

Lory was confused by they're gloomy mood and wondered if they were worried about the curse. She pushed Zhao Li Xin slightly and said, "Don't worry. I can make protective amulets but I need you're help since you are an armament master. I need you to create amulets based on my design."

"I'll be glad to help you," Zhao Li Xin gently cupped her face.

"Can I be their to see the process?" Jin Hao discarded his normal indifferent look and pleaded.

"Me too!" Bei Li Yan also raised his voice to plead. "Can I watch it too? I won't bother you. I promise!"

"Than… I'm coming too," Ming Yue Yin raised her hand. She refused to be left out.

"Can we join too…?" Mong Ki who was normally quiet unexpectedly asked while Mong Yi stared at Lory with pleading eyes.

Zhao Li Xin glared at them but they were unwilling to back down this time around. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they would do anything to be a part of it. It was either that or have sleepless nights of curiosity.

Lory was glad they accepted the real and they were interested in knowing more about her powers. They still trusted her and treat her the same. She couldn't reject them as they weren't asking for much.

"Sure. Why not?" Lory smiled brightly.

Lory's permission meant Zhao Li Xin couldn't stop them. They secretly cheered with relief. Ming Yue Yin was happy Lory had shared her secret with others. Ming Yue Yin hoped this would reinforce Lory's attachment to her new world, allowing her to feel like she was one of them.

"By the way…" Ming Yue Yin rested her hands on her waist and looked at the black smoke coming from Zhao Li Xin's living quarters and the guest room. The places were not only wrecked but also stained with blood. "Where are you going to stay?"