First Meeting

According to Girsha, Lao Min Na did something to both Lao Fei Yan and her maid that made them unable to leave the pond. The pond was not deep, it was about two-meter high, which meant high cultivators could easily get out even though they couldn't swim.

However, Lao Fei Yan who was at Knight Level of cultivation only managed to get out of the pond when the guard grabbed her wrist and pulled her out. He could only grab her wrist and not push her head above the water like the lifeguards did because Lao Fei Yan was an unmarried maiden and could only be touched by her fiancé. Other men were not allowed to touch her as her reputation is more valuable than her own life in this world.

Lao Fei Yan sat on the ground next to the pool with a pitiful look that made her look like a drenched cat. Her maid was in the same state as her, but no one paid attention to the poor maid 'Lucky her' as all eyes were watching Lao Fei Yan. The White Pavilion tea house manager hastily brought a dry blanket to cover Lao Fei Yan's wet dress.

The dress was quite thick from Lory's perspective but to people in this world, her wet dress left too much for the imagination. The men did not dare to look at her but still peeked fervently at her with red faces.

Feeling humiliated, Lao Fei Yan was beyond mad but there was not much she could do with her wet dress. Luckily for her, the manager offered her a new dress and a place to change before she returned home. Without taking any further action, Lao Fei Yan and her entourage left swiftly with the manager. Lao Min Na sneered as she watched Lao Fei Yan's figure disappear behind the crowd.

Just when Lory thought the show was over, she heard someone clap with a monotone sound. She looked and saw a handsome tall man with bright purple robes and gold phoenix embroidery on his chest emerged from the crowd. From the jade crown on her head and his regal demeanor, Lory guessed he was royalty.

"This Prince, returned home a few days only to be presented with a good show." He smirked.

Lao Min Na frowned at first before she recognized the man in front of her. She smiled sarcastically and said, "I'm glad you enjoyed the show, your highness."

"It seems like you know me, First Miss Lao?" He said.

"I believe everyone would recognize the Third Prince and Jiang Wei's great hero…" Lao Min Na bent her body courteously. He found her fearless attitude attractive. Most women would try to act innocent or frail in front of him, but this woman was looking at him with a calm and strong gaze. The Third prince smiled gently at Lao Min Na. The cherry blossom petals grazed her beautiful skin.

Her dark hair flew behind her back while she stared back at Zhao Yi Chen with her deep black eyes. It was at that moment that Zhao Yi Chen, the Third Prince fell in love with Lao Min Na.

Lory took one last glance at them before she left the White Pavilion tea house. Love was like fire it could make you warm and safe, but it could also burn and leave you with a deep-rooted scar.

Lory could tell what was happening and was genuinely happy for Lao Min Na. The woman had been through a lot. She hoped love could ease her pain and set her free. However, Lory couldn't also help but feel doubtful. There was something wrong with Lao Min Na.

Lory could not put her finger on it, but she felt like something important was missing within Lao Min Na. Lory also couldn't help but wonder if she was the one with the problem as Girsha didn't feel anything strange about Lao Min Na.

When Lory returned to Lao Manor, the White Pavilion tea house had already delivered the pastries, and the servers were ready for Madam Lao and old Madam Lao to join the feast. Everything seemed peaceful until Lao Fei Yan arrived.

She immediately buried her face on Old Madam Lao's lap as she cried and whined. She accused Lao Min Na of humiliating her by pushing her down to the pond. Her personal maids supported Lao Fei Yan's claim prompting the madams to curse and swear at Lao Min Na. The ladies had quite a potty mouth for people who were supposed to be reserved and refined.

Lory sighed, left the room, and headed back to the maid's courtyard. All this had nothing to do with her and she believed Lao Min Na already knew what to expect. Lory took a washbasin to clean her face and hands. It was something she did every time she returned home after playing outside. It was an old habit she maintained even after she transferred to a different world.

The day quickly came to an end with Lory maintaining her lax schedule. She poured warm lemon tea for herself into her 'mug'. Although she called it a mug, the truth was different. It was an old sauce container. The kitchen servants wanted to throw it away, but Lory asked them to give it to her instead. She called it 'Mug' after she owned it.

Lory deeply inhaled the lemon scent before taking a sip. It was another thing that reminds her of her past. She often wondered why she could vividly remember everything even after a lot of time had passed. At this moment, she remembered what happened when she first left Verrion alone.

_______________________________

She met Lucas and the others in Rodant city outside Harland's territory a few months later after she left Cestine palace - it was six or nine months later to be exact. Rodant was a big, crowded and messy city from an architectural point of view.

Lory was in the cafe near the hostel they were staying at. She was sipping her warm lemon tea slowly when a big muscular man pulled the chair in front of her and sat in it.

"Hi!" He said shortly then asked the waiter to give him his usual booze. He had become a regular in the three days he stayed in the city. "Drinking alone Princess?"

"Fargo," Lory raised her cup with a sweet smile on her face.

"It's not safe being alone in this kinda place," He warned her seriously.

Lory rolled her eyes, "You know this is not my first rodeo? Besides, I have Girsha with me so I'm not alone."

"Yeah, you are right!" He leaned in his chair when a female waiter arrived with a glass of cold whiskey and a piece of paper. The waiter smiled meaningfully at him and Fargo smiled back at her in response before the sexy waiter left.

Lory gave Fargo a teasing smile, "Another one, Fargo…?"

"Yeah, but not for now..." Fargo chuckled as he tore the paper and threw it away. The sound of the ice cube slightly clashing could be heard as he sipped his drink. Fargo may be a player but when it came to his duty and obligation, he could be as serious as Fredhard.

His current duty was to protect Lucas on his 'King Trial'. He understood how important and dangerous the journey could be for Lucas. There was no way he would let his guard down by playing with some woman.

"When will you tell me?" Fargo put the glass on the table and asked.

Lory raised her brows, "Hm, about what?"

"Come on, Lory. I know you hiding something... Fred and Clift know even that stupid boy, Jay, knows," He raised his eyebrows in challenge. He watched her grow from childhood. She was practically his sister. How could he not know something was going on?

"..." Lory sipped her tea without a word.

"Lucas definitely knows... He just doesn't want to bother you." Fargo pushed her a bit. He knew Lucas was her soft spot.

"What makes you think I am hiding something?" Lory eventually asked.

"You left Cestine the same day we did, and you even left without the King's permission. Lory... you might get angry and even sulk but you never go against the King's order.

I think it's pretty obvious from where I stand..." Fargo his drink and swallowed the content in one gulp. He then twisted the glass in his hands, "You gonna tell me what happened?"

Lory crossed her arm over her chest with a helpless smile. It was so hard hiding things from them. She clicked her tongue and placed her chin in her hand, "I just know something... something bad."

"How bad?" He asked. He didn't know what it was but he could tell Lory didn't want to talk about it.

"Very bad…" Lory squinted her eyes. She paused for a minute then exhaled "I need to figure it out by myself. To solve this, I need more… more information and I can't find it in Cestine... maybe not even in Harland."

"You need help? If you need anything just take Clift. He is good at sneaking around or take Jay who is good at gathering information. No one can beat him." Fargo proposed.

Fargo didn't try to stop her or even ask what she was looking for. He trusted her just like he trusted Lucas. Lory chuckled she knew how overprotective Fargo could be. He needed to be assured. "Nah… you all got your hands full with the 'King's trial' and as I said, I got Girsha. With the 'First Kind' having my back and Trinity staff on as my weapon, no one can't beat me?"

"Fine… but take care of yourself. Don't do things I wouldn't do!" He reprimanded.

"That means I can do anything," Lory smiled as she joked.

"Come on, girl. I'm being serious here!" Fargo reprimands her sternly. "Make sure you contact us every three days, if you miss a day, we will track you down and send you home without question... You hear me!"

"Okay… Okay," Lory giggled as she raised both her hands in surrender.

Fargo then let out a long sigh then he look at her worriedly "We love you. Lucas also loves you very much. You know that, don't you? if something happens to you... Lucas would lose anything, but he is not ready to lose you... He can't lose you, remember that!"

Lory smiled bitterly, "I know... I can't lose him too."

Lory sat on the porch and put the mug on the floor beside her. She closed her eyes as she tried to hold in her tears. Lory held her breath for a long time and exhaled to let go of her sadness and the heart-wrenching memory in her heart. She then lamented in a quiet voice

"I'm sorry everyone...I'm sorry Lucas... I really am..."