The Princess And The Lord

Chapter 1218 The Pain of Regret II

Regret comes like a cold mist in the middle of the night, comes slowly without realizing it without warning, creeps into the heart, and covers the mind with hopes and illusions of the possibility of what might happen, the words 'if only' repeat in one's mind but when the fog is swept away by the wind One will find oneself stranded in a reality that cannot be changed.

Lory sat on a comfortable sofa on the terrace next to the swimming pool, her purple eyes looked up at the midnight sky decorated with millions of stars but even the beautiful view still failed to lighten the burden on her heart.

'Why don't he give us a chance to help him?'

Lilly's voice rang in Lory's head that instantly send a great sense of weariness that sweeps over her it sucking her whole energy with it.

'Why don't he? Why don't she?' 

Is it because of selfishness or arrogance, perhaps it was an obsession? for a long time, Lory questioned herself, why she did what she did, why she risked everyone and everything for just one person but she had no answers. All she knew was that she loved her brother and she would do anything to save him, no matter what.

the cold wind brushed her face, Lory shut her weary eyes feeling tired all of a sudden then suddenly a pair of hands cupped her face gently.

[Who makes my princess sad?] his deep voice offers comfort and safety on a chilling night like this.

Lory doesn't need to open her eyes to know whose this voice belongs to. The warmth from his skin transferred to her cheeks making her face blush slightly.

[Am I that obvious...] Lory opened her eyes and a pair of onyx eyes stared deeply into hers. everyone said Zhao Li Xin's eyes were cold and dark like the bottom of the abyss, but to her, Zhao Li Xin's eyes were always gentle and warm they never failed to soothe her pain and worries.

[It's been a while since I see you like this..] His voice hints at worry.

Lory rubbed her cheeks against his hand, she loved Zhao Li Xin's touch the most, and secretly she felt proud and honored that this cold man only shared his tenderness with her.

Lory held Zhao Li Xin's hand and pulled him to sit next to her, [Like what?] She looked at Zhao Li Xin playfully.

Zhao Li Xin wrapped his arms around his waist [Well, how is it described in your language...] Zhao Li Xin pondered for a second then said with a mellow voice "Quietly sad..."

Lory chuckles [It's that even a word?]

Zhao Li Xin frowns [Perhaps I can give a better description, uhm...]

Lory stared at Zhao Li Xin expectantly. After a while, his eyes shifted to Lory's beautiful purple eyes, "How about...Melancholy"

[Sounds Romantic] Lory giggled then rested her head on his broad chest immediately all the negative feelings that engulfed her gradually disappeared leaving only a feeling of 'nostalgia' as Zhao Li Xin described.

Zhao Li Xin hugged him tightly and then kissed the top of Lory's head after that he rested his chin on top of her head while enjoying each other's comfort, tonight it's another peaceful night.

[Li Xin....]

[Hm?]

[I'm scared...]

[What are you scared of?]

For a moment Lory didn't make a sound after a while she started to speak in a soft voice [The truth is...I'm scared to face my friends and brother again.]

[Why?] Zha Li Xin didn't understand Lory's worry.

Lory sighed then turned to Zhao Li Xin [If I...leave you..]

[You Can!] Zhao interrupted quickly.

Lory pinched Zhaolixin's cheek [No way! I'm just giving an example...if I leave you without an explanation, will you be angry?]

Unexpectedly zhao Li Xin's answer was ready [Yes!]

Lory was stunned she bit her lip while looking down in disappointment but Zhao Li Xin lifted her chin with his index finger [But I'm sure that anger will soon disappear when I meet you again]

Lory's eyes sparkled with hope [Really...?]

His usually cold face was now covered in love and warmth. He stared intently into her enchanting beautiful eyes [You've talked about them so many times, it feels like I already know them, and based on your story I can see how much you mean to them and vice versa, therefore, there is no doubt in my heart that whatever anger or disappointment they feel towards you I believe it will disappear the moment they see your face again...]

Zhao Li Xin once said that she always knew the right words to sneak into someone's heart unnoticed, but in Lory's opinion Zhao Li Xin was much better than her, otherwise, why would he always find the right words to ease her pain?

[I hope so...] Lory smiles weakly.

Zhao Li Xin pinched Lory's chin gently [Trust me, if they love as much as I love you or at least half of what I felt, I'm sure they would rejoice to know you are still alive!] he said with complete certainty.

Zhao's reassurance brought comfort to Lory's heart, she placed the back of her head on his chest once again while Zhao Li Xin hugged her from behind. Zhao Li Xin subtly checked Lory's mood then he felt relieved when he was assured Lory's mood had improved.

[What do you think makes Ethan Hamilton leave?] Lory raised the question abruptly.

[First of all, what do we know for sure about Et-han...I mean Ethan, is my spelling correct?] Zhao Li Xin asked shortly.

[Yeah...] Lory confirmed then she recalled everything she knew about Ethan Hamilton then said: [We know he is the heir of the Hamilton family and he is also the 'Creator', one of the best in fact...he got expedition to the Quiet peak mountain to find rare material for something and he got hurt and possibly by the S.A.I.N.T. organization and Luxemborough also involved to cover that matter by blowing up the whole mountain including us perhaps we just a collateral damage but the intention is clear...]

[We never talked about it but what rare ingredient was that man looking for that he was willing to take such a high risk, could it have something to do with why he was being targeted?] Zhao Li Xin analyzed all the events that happened calmly and logically.

Lory suddenly straightened her back and then turned towards Zhao [If Ethan is looking for special material maybe it is for something he created since he is a 'Creator' could this be what they're after?]

[There's a high possibility he accidentally found out something he shouldn't and it is very dangerous but it was too late for him, that's why he pretended to be sick and chose to run away so he could protect his family]

[Li Xin do you mean the attack on the Hamilton family is because of Ethan Hamilton?] concern oozing from Lory's voice.

there's a conspirational smirk on Zhao Li Xin's handsome face [There's an idiom in your language that says....] Zhao Li Xin pursed his lips then said: "It was 'Icing on the cake' if I'm not wrong" 

Lory blinked her round eyes several times waiting for his explanation, Zhao was amused by how cute he was, then, he continued [The Hamil-ton family itself is not useless because they have wide connections with a lot of influential families around the world not to mention fund and resources to produce weapons but they have a much more important use which is to threaten Ethan, but it will not be easy to control the Hamilton family. Therefore they created an accident to hurt Ethan, but not to kill him only enough to injure him gravely so it would force the Hamilton family to plead for the Saintes' help. Taking advantage of Hamilton's family's desperation they forced them to give the Ellecant group shares which would later be useful for controlling the company. That also explains the possible connection between the Aug- bur...Aug-burn family, it is because they need them to replace the Hamilton family position in the Ellecant group. Meanwhile, they can hide in the background, out of prying eyes while at the same time controlling the Augburn family, Hamilton, and also Ethan, it was indeed a great plan until we came..." Zhao Li Xin's voice was flat as a pond as he concluded the situation so clearly.

Lory stared incredulously at Zhao Li Xin, she didn't know how Zhao could make a conclusion considering he only knew a little about the intricacies of the politic and society in this world, Lory wondered how much knowledge he secretly absorbed in these few days.

It finally dawned on her how Zhao Li Xin in such a short time was able to create one of the largest sects in his world even though he was still very young and what's more he was also sick! no wonder there were no sect leaders, princes, or Emperors in his world who dared to provoke him.

[Darling, I'm glad we're not enemies~] Lory is sincerely grateful.

Zhao Li Xin Looked at her like a fool then he snorted [If we become enemies, shouldn't I be the one worried?]

Regardless of whether they became lovers or not, he knew he would undoubtedly attracted to Lory like a bird yearning for the vast sky. He would yearn for her too and the reason he was certain of that was because that was how he felt when he first met Lory even though he had no clue what love was at that time.

If they become enemies, he would shamelessly turn himself in and hand himself over as a tribute so he could get close to Lory.

[So, in your opinion what should we do now?] Lory waits in anticipation.

Zhao Li Xin rubs Lory's head like a teacher teaching his cute disciple [Well, as you suggested, we have to investigate everything Ethan had done these past two to three years, that means we need to question all of Ethan's coworkers, subordinates, friends even the servants working around him to see if there's anything strange with Ethan's behavior before he went on the expedition]

Lory's breath hitched, and then she clapped her hands excitedly [You're right, maybe someone knows something!]

[Or maybe involved...] Zhao Li Xin's eyes darkened.

Lory's eyes widened like a deer in headlights [What do you mean?]

Zhao Li Xin smirks [No one should know what Ethan is doing right because it involves company confidentiality so how can the enemy know, So my guess is someone close to him has been spying on him, it can be his assistant, family, or...lover?]

Lory's eyes flared with admiration, Zhao Li Xin had managed to narrow down the scope of their investigation, and this would definitely be of great help in preparing their next plan.

[And I think we should leave as soon as possible, considering your conflict with the Aug-burn family and the underground Guild, sooner or later they will turn their attention to us] Zhao Li Xin reminded.

[Don't worry, I've prepared for that!] Lory kissed Zhao Li Xin's lips and then stared at him lovingly [Husband, you are so amazing, I love you so much!]

Zhao Li Xin smiles proudly [As you should]

Lory laughs at his arrogant answer.