Zhao Li Xin clenched his fist as he felt his heart was tearing apart. It was hard to imagine the suffering she had endured. Why didn't she ever rely on him? They were husband and wife yet she never shared her pain with him. Didn't she find him reliable?

"It is not your fault," Girsha comforted him as he could guess Zhao Li Xin's thoughts and he could understand Zhao Li Xin's frustrations. The most annoying thing about Lory was the fact she liked to take matters into her own hands alone. "She is used to baring burdens on her own. Sharing is not her specialty..."

​​

"She's never told me about her harsh life and I can't ask either. I don't want to make her feel worse than she already feels…" Zhao Li Xin sighed. He was also not the sharing type but it was somehow easier for him to convey his thoughts to the little bird.

"Don't blame her. It is not because she doesn't trust you. It is just…her telling you everything means reliving the past all over again. It is easier for her to bury the past inside her heart and wish time would make things easier..."

"What happened to her? Why is her life so hard?" Zhao Li Xin leaned on the lamp post, gazed at the full moon, and asked the question that bothered him the most. Her description of her family showed love. She was surrounded by family, good friends and she was also royalty. All this was a recipe for a comfortable life yet her eyes held so much pain.

"What happened? I don't even know where to begin. I thought it's all started when Lory discovered the prophecy when she was only seventeen but I think I was wrong… Perhaps it all started when the twins were born. It is the reason Lorenna and Marcus…" Girsha scoffed and swallowed his last words.

From Lory's dreams, Girsha got to know Lorenna sacrificed her life to give Lory the bluebell flower mark. It seemed Lorenna knew what would happen in the future but the question was how she got to know this. This was a question Girsha needed to answer.

However, everything was beginning to make sense if it meant Lorenna and Marcus knew about the future. It would explain why Marcus pushed the twins harder than normal royalty did. Why Marcus nurtured them to not only be great royals but to also be great warriors. Marcus started to treat his children differently after Lorenna's death. At least that is what the Archknights secretly mumbled, but they thought he did it out of grief. They said his grief made him a strict father but this was turning out to be wrong.

Marcus must have known all along but he never shared what was in his mind with anyone but Lorenna. This could be the reason he didn't stop Lory from leaving Harland and let her search for the prophecy's origins. Girsha wondered if Marcus knew he would be killed by Nazareth. It would explain why he refused Lory's help and forced her to leave him. It was also possible he knew Lory would replace Lucas at the critical moment. However, Girsha could not tell if Marcus knew Lory would be sent to another world.

Girsha took a deep breath and wondered what other secrets were in store for them and why the King and Queen needed to hide a lot.

Zhao Li Xin was dissatisfied as he listened to Girsha's vague answer. "What are you trying to say?"

Girsha looked at the frowning man next to him and heaved heavy, "I'm not trying to say anything because nothing is certain but l learned that there is no luxury when one chooses to follow a Lucient heir. Your life will get harder than ever if you stay with her. It may be…unbearable. Are you ready for this?"

"Huo Long said there is something lurking in the darkness. It is eyeing her… What is it?" Zhao Li Xin asked in a low voice. Although his face remained placid, his eyes were anxious.

"Lurking in darkness? You wrong... He is the darkness. The abomination, the outcast…" Girsha was solemn as his words turned cold and sharp. "He fell from grace and became the demon itself…"

Zhao Li Xin paled as he considered the story of God and the demon a children's fairy tale. He did not think it existed in the real world even after Huo Long mentioned the darkness, a small part of his heart still did not believe the dragon. His doubts were completely destroyed as he listened to Girsha. He was petrified, not for himself but for Lory.

"What does all this have to do with Lory? Why does this demon want her?" Zhao Li Xin asked with distress. He didn't realize his back was covered with cold sweat.

"Oh boy, it has everything to do with her," Girsha flapped his wings and flew closer to Zhao Li Xin. "Did you know there's a rule in the world that says gods and demons cannot intervene in matters concerning the mortal world? They need a living soul to use as a bridge between the two realms. The Lucient soul is special, even among other special souls. The Lucient soul shines brightly like a star in a dark sky. It is powerful and vibrant as it is God's chosen bridge."

Girsha raised a wing like a teacher raising his hand in class. He squinted with mystery, "But like any other bridge, the soul does not solely belong to the gods as even the demons could cross through it but only if the bridge is willing..."

"Are you saying…Lory allowed the demon to cross over? Why?" Zhao Li Xin was stunned. He knew Lory's temperament. She was fearless and loyal. She would never submit to anyone, especially a demon, no matter how scared she was.

Girsha's moved his pink beak closer to Zhao Li Xin's face. It almost touched Zhao Li Xin's nose. "Boy, if I told you Lory would jeopardize the life of humans and everything including you and everyone you know…will you hate her?"

"NO!" Zhao Li Xin's answer was swift. There was no doubt but firm determination. "Nothing matters. I don't care about others… Only her…"

"Oh!" Girsha was stunned at first but he soon burst out with laughter. The wind around them whirled as he flipped his wings in excitement. The tree rustled loudly and leaves blew all over the place. "Good-good-good. It was not mistaken when I choose to support you. Nice answer, boy!"

Zhao Li Xin's expression remained the same as he watched Girsha. He genuinely did not care about other things. His mind focused on the most important question, "Is Lory's life in danger?"

"Very much…" Girsha narrowed his gaze.

"Huo Long said the Crimson Lightning Sword could protect her as it might be able to kill the demon," Zhao Li Xin revealed. Girsha was stunned by the news but a thrill spread through him.

"That little dragon must have learned this from someone…" Girsha thought Arthea might be the connection. He didn't know what that damned seeress wanted but it was good news for them. "The Crimson Lightning Sword is the weapon you've been looking for, huh?"

"Yes…" Zhao Li Xin gave a short answer.

"Aah…" Girsha now understood why Zhao Li Xin was adamant about getting the map. It was all for her…

"Even a demon can be killed, yes?" Zhao Li Xin abruptly asked.

"Of course…" Girsha replied.

"What's the demon's name?" Zhao Li Xin's eyes narrowed with malice.

"Lazarus…" Girsha coldly answered.