Chapter 9 - The Prince’s Gift
When Prime Minister Lao announced the Princes' visit the reaction in the room varied. The elders and the Prime Minister himself were both nervous and excited. The youngsters especially the girls, were like fangirls meeting their idol.
The maids became anxious they looked at each other wondering what they should do. Obviously, this was a bad time to receive the royal family as guests. At the same time, Lao Min Na's expression darkened, she gritted her teeth in annoyance knowing which prince had come to her Manor.
A moment later, Crown Prince Zhao Mu Fan and Sixth Prince Zhao Li Xin entered the room with haughty looks. The appearance of the Crown Prince fascinated everyone, Zhao Mu Fan was wearing a luxurious blue robe with a golden dragon embroidered on his chest, a glittering silver crown neatly placed on his head to show off his esteemed position. Everything about Zhao Mu Fan screams 'I AM ROYALTY!!'
Zhao Mu Fan was very handsome, although a little thin, but he had a tall build and broad shoulders so he was manly enough that it was no wonder that Lao Fei Yan was infatuated with him.
Behind the Crown Prince is the famous Sixth Prince, well, not in a good way. Lory remembered him as the man she saved in the forest a few years ago after all who could forget such a face, however, Lory was confused when she saw the pale face of the sixth prince, Lory was sure she had healed the man so why does he still look so sick?
Lory looked intently at Zhao Li Xin, in her opinion, the sixth prince was much more handsome than the crown prince, actually, Lory had never seen a man more handsome than the sixth prince in his two worlds but unfortunately, the sixth prince faced too pale and he looked frail as if he could easily be blown away by a small wind.
Lory tilted her head with a confused look, the man should be healthy by now unless something went wrong with her powers. Even though she had a curse that limited her powers but Lory was sure she managed to heal him completely that night.
Lory subconsciously stares at the Sixth Prince without blinking. Fortunately, her position was hiding behind the other maid and everyone's eyes were on the crown prince so no one noticed her, however, Zhao Li Xin noticed her intense gaze.
"Greetings Crown Prince and Sixth Prince, it is an honor for us to have two royal guests in my humble home." The Prime Minister came in a hurry and then bowed his head deeply and the rest of the Lao Family followed him even the elders had to bow their heads. unlike family members, maids had to kneel and press their foreheads on the cold floor in honor of the royal family.
It was an unimaginable act for a princess from the mighty kingdom like Lory, however, she didn't care, Lory realized she was no longer a princess since she was stranded in this strange world. However, Girsha disagreed with that thought.
"Rise!" The Crown Prince waved his hand and immediately everyone stood up simultaneously.
Lao Fei Yan looked at Zhao Mu Fan with sparkling eyes which showed how much he loved her. Lao Min Na, on the other hand, did not even glance at Zhao Mu Fan.
Rumor had it that Lao Min Na had head over heels with Zhao Mu Fan, but she could never marry him due to her low status and her mother's disgraceful reputation.
They said Lao Min Na was heartbroken when she heard that Prime Minister Lao set up Lao Fei Yan as Zhao Mu Fan's fiancé. refusing to surrender Lao Min Na pleaded with the Crown Prince to take her as his concubine, but her request was firmly rejected by the crown prince. Feeling sad and ashamed by the crown prince's refusal, Lao Min Na threw herself into the pool and she almost died.
Luckily she was found quickly, and one of the old strong maids who could swim quickly jumped into the pool and saved Lao Min Na's life, it's a shame her reputation can't be said to be the same.
The Prime Minister was so embarrassed by Lao Min Na's rash action that he punished her by confining Lao Min Na in her own courtyard for a year.
Despite the Prime Minister's attempts to hide Lao Min Na's foolish actions, the news about her spread to the public, as a result, it turned the Lao family into a joke of the capital.
Lory secretly watched Lao Min Na's reaction when she saw Zhao Mu Fan being intimate with Lao Fei Yan, strangely Lao Min Na's face remained indifferent as if she didn't know Zhao Mu Fan at all.
Lory ponders how a person can change so quickly and drastically. Lory had never seen Lao Min Na but he had seen Lao Min Na before, the young lady was shy and shy, she was also a little naive and gullible but it was normal for such a young age but the new Lao Min Na was cold, calm and distant.
She was so different, Lory might have believed it if someone had told her she wasn't the same woman.
Lory was curious about what could trigger this major change, was it the trauma of losing a loved one due to her stepsister or the trauma that she nearly died, or maybe both?
"Prime Minister, I am here to visit Yan'er," Zhao Mu Fan said as he gently looked at Lao Fei Yan lovingly. His charming smile made Lao Fei Yan look down to hide her blushing cheeks, their intimate interaction made the other sisters except Lao Min Na envious. meanwhile, Lao Min Na looked indifferent and bored.
Lory watched the interactions between love birds with great interest. Lory wants to see how the people of this world flirt because the custom in this world is so reserved and strict that women are unallowed to leave their homes unaccompanied. Furthermore, Lory had never seen the intimate exchanges between the Prime Minister and his women, but if there were, she might not have noticed.
as expected the flirtation ended, Lory cocked her head and complain inwardly 'That's it?'
Zhao Mu Fan then suddenly said: "This Prince has promised to give Second Miss a reward, so I went to the dark forest a few days ago and caught a Profound Level beast. When I saw the ferocious beast, this Prince immediately thought of the Second Miss Lao," Zhao Mu Fan smiled proudly.
Well, Zhao Mu Fan did deserve to be proud because it wasn't easy to catch a beast, especially a Profound level beast. This beast was twice the size of a Mortal Level beast and was also much smarter. that's why they're also harder to find.
But Lory wasn't sure a pompous prince like Zhao Mu Fan would enter the dark forest by himself.
Lao Fei Yan couldn't help but be flattered by the crown prince's sincerity. She smiled from ear to ear feeling happy and proud at the same time as everyone was watching her with green eyes. Lao Min Na's eyes even gleamed for a moment at the beast before disappearing without a trace.
Lory pursed her lips as she looked at Lao Fei Yan anxiously. Is it okay for a man to claim the first thing that comes to his mind when he sees a ferocious beast, is his fiancé? Lory lament to herself. If it was her, she would be offended.
'What does supposed to mean!'
Prime Minister Lao smiled widely. If people knew how much the Crown Prince dotted on his daughter, many of the officials' families would envy him. When the Crown Prince becomes an Emperor in the future, his daughter would be the Empress making him the Emperor's father-in-law. There was nothing greater than that. He could see more people scrambling before him trying to curry his favor in the coming days. The Prime Minister was still in a daze when four-guard placed a big cage outside the main hall.
Everyone rushed outside. They could not wait to see the beast the Crown Prince found for Lao Fei Yan. Lory also followed everyone. Zhao Li Xin was the only one who stayed inside. He comfortably leaned in his chair and sipped his warm tea slowly, uninterested in the commotion happening outside.
A tiger with a long curvy sharp fang and a large robust body was inside the cage. The beast almost looked like a saber-toothed tiger to Lory. However, its fur which was black with blue stripes was thicker than that of a normal tiger.
The beast repeatedly hit the cage in anger. The beast's loud roar caused some of the maids to faint while the other maids stood stiffly as they were numb with fear. many of the maids were so scared that they couldn't even stand up. Lory look around her and realized she was the only servant who didn't act scared.
He immediately pretended to be scared by crouching on the floor. Lory was too bored she took the opportunity to talk to Girsha through their telepathic connection.
[Hey old bird, what do you think about that beast… is it strong?] she's joking
[Puih... !!!] Girsha responds in total disgust.
[...….]