__L'Markieth Underground City __

Pip – pip – pip – pip

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Lory reaches her hands under the pillow then quickly turn off her phone alarm without looking at her smartphone when the alarm off she buries her face on the pillow, she groaned softly then shift her side to the side, she realizes she was surrounded by piles of books scattered all over her bed, only then she remembers last night she had burned the midnight oil again from reading old scripture and old antic book that she gathered from all over the place, still, she got nothing about the god's prophecy.

She feel dejected but she will not give up easily, she push the book from her bed to the floor as she venting her anger like a little kid, and then she saw Girsha snuggle on the blanket comfortably next to her, his little beak rest on his fluffy plump chest suddenly she feel an immense feeling of relief.

Smile faintly bloom on her tired face, she raised from the bed then shoved her hair back away from her face, the room was still dark only Illuminated by faint city light that peeks from the small gap of the curtain.

She ties her hair into a bun, then she got up from the bed, the cold floor make her feet flinch a little then walk to the only window in the room then she opens the curtain. It kinda useless though because is not blinding sunlight that greets her morning instead is a dim yellow light from a few residences across her room, obviously, the life inside the cave was quite stagnant, she didn't know why she keeps opening the window as if she hopes something will be different.

In the underground city, not all residence have their lights on, it because this place has tight regulation on how to use the resource in the underground city and not just electricity it also includes food distribution, water distribution, and many more although it sounds harsh, however, L'markieth is one of the very few refuge places that still hold until these days not mention it also got better amenity compares with other places.

Lory let out a long sigh, is hard to get used to the darkness, It's already three years since the verrion covered in darkness since then all nation crumble like a leaf in the winter, they fall one by one including the great Kingdom Harland.

Lory turn around the stride to the bathroom, she takes a quick bath after three days without bath which is exhilarating, because the tight regulation everyone could only take bath once every three or four days and how the government control this ridiculous rule it because every room and place in this city have a small chip to control the water and electricity used, once someone used beyond the limit the chip would automatically shut down everything and the person who lived there will receive a warning from the government if they repeated they mistake three times they will face the probability to kick out from the city.

Even though Lory is the princess and legally owns the city she still follows the regulation like other people, she knows better in this situation she must set herself as an example for other people, if the princess herself follows every rule then other people have no words to object the rules.

Two minutes later she finishes her shower, she only has few clothes in her room and mostly a shirt and pants also a couple of boots, she only has a small closet to store all her clothes, pants and boots, her room is like a small studio type room apartment if your apartment building made of stones to make sure the durability.

She wears a white t-shirt and jeans then she took out a wornout black leather jacket from the closet, not to forget the old knee boot. she sits on the bedside to wear her boot. just like everyone she lives humble life inside the L'markieth, thankfully she had a lot of experience living in the wilderness when she was young so she had no problem adjusting to a common life.

Lory was tying her booth when someone knocked on her door, without lift her head she shouted "Come in!"

The door gently pushes and a young man wearing a formal suit enters her room, Lory recognizes him as the commission secretary who regularly visits her to send a report, the young secretary is a young man in the late twenty.

The young man put his hand on his right chest and bow his head as a formal saluted to the royal family of Harland "Your highness, I bring a new report from the environment and maintenance supervisor"

Lory untie her bun and her wavy hair falls on her shoulder beautifully "Wait…" she gives her hair a quick brush then tied her hair into a high ponytail "Okay where's the report?" Lory stretches her hand.

The young secretary gives her the tablet since paper becomes scarce after the attack, Lory swipe the table to read the report then her eyebrows gradually furrow as she read the report further, she walks to the door and opens the door while her eyes fixed on the tablet but before she left she waving her hand and called; "Girsha!"

The bird flew and perch on her shoulder, Lory then continues her pace and the young secretary keep up his pace.

"We got more refugees, huh" Lory click her tongue while reading the tablet.

"Yes, your highness, we got thirty people this morning, they say the southern camp was destroyed and they got nowhere to go," he worriedly says, because that means the situation is getting worse.

"Do we still got the room?" Lory maintains her calmed while her gazes remain on the tablet.

"Yes, but we already reach our maximum capacity, I don't think we can't accept more refugees after this" The secretary voice was mixed with remorse and helplessness.

The situation out there is getting worst, the beast swarmed all over the place like a pest, and without the sun the human was getting weaker while the beast was getting stronger, after King Marcus death no one could stand against Nazareth, is not like the lack of trying but it was all futile, the black dragon is too strong, they only hope is fall on Luca's shoulder, everyone could only place their hope for the young King of Harland.

Meanwhile, their only option is to survive, but survive is not easy without the Sun to grow their crops, and without the crops, they can't feed the livestock, without the livestock how could they feed their people not to mention beast was treated their safety every day.

A lot of nations destroyed and their citizen seeking refuge all over the place, sadly on this situation because of the lacked resources and the tight situation a lot of places who still able to survive barely able to sustain themselves. every nation gives priority to their citizen first.

As consequence many refugees were rejected, it is a heartbreaking situation, but the government and the leaders have no choice, sadly the same policy was also follow by Harland.

"The same report goes to the King's commission?" Lory let out a long exhales.

"Yes, your highness!" the secretary reply.

"What are they decision?"

"This….will be the last time we accept refugees, from here on the commission decide to close the L'markieth door, they just waiting for your approval to make it official" The young secretary feel quite nervous, he worries Lory would not be approved with the commission seemingly heartless decision, but they can't sacrifice their own citizen for the outsider.

Of course, Lory understands, still, it's a painful decision, she shut her eyes for a second and take a deep breath then sign the tablet with the digital pen, then return the tablet to the soldier "I give my approval, proceed immediately!" she firmly said.

The soldier startled a little but then she hit her chest with her fist "Yes, your highness!" he saluted the young princess with deep admiration brimmed in his eyes, despite her young age the young princess not only strong and brave but she also calms under the pressured and also wise just like the late king.

The secretary left immediately after he got Lory's approval. Lory watches the young man left in hurry. Clearly, the young man got a lot of things to do, but that not surprising, after Nazareth attacked many people had died if not missing so not only food that scarce, they also lose a lot of capable human resource, is not strange for men or women carry two or three jobs at the same time.

Lory unconsciously looks down, from the window she saw new refugees enter L'markieth, they all look tired and scared, their clothes were dirty and tattered, but what make Lory's heart sunk is because she saw little children and a baby among the refugees.

They all look relief when they lead to the temporary place, they all place at refugees camp, from there they would receive medical care and food then the supervisor would check their background and asked few questions before they give them a room, none of them mind it instead they all look so happy and grateful some of them even cry while hugging their children.

It's a heart-wrenching sight, it's hit her that from now on she came accepted more people like them, all of those people who sacrifice their lives to reach this place probably end up dying if L'markiet didn't accept them anymore, a sense of guilt, anger, and helplessness hit her like a tide hit the shores.

"You already did what you could," Girsha said.

"Is it?" she doubts herself, frankly she had been doubted herself quite often after she loses her Father.

"You are not a God Lory, you can't save everyone…." Said Girsha again.

Lory wryly smiles "Tell that to the next refugees that we would reject later….."

Girsha peck lory cheek in upset "You think anyone could complain that you are not done enough? Your father dead, your brother was out there no one knows how his condition right now, and you - you've been going out there with the king's men to get rid the beast horde that came to this place, and if you forget Lory you only twenty-one this year and yet you risk your life every day out there, believe me, girl you've done enough!"

As she listened to Girsha's passionate reminder, she still feel like a failure, if only she could do more. If Lucas was here Lory sure he would do better than her since they were kids Lucas is much smarter than her and he also much stronger than she could ever be, Lucas will become a perfect King, she is certain that one day Lucas would exceed all his predecessor….if only he would be given a chance.

Later on, Lory decide to visit the refugee camp, she wants to see if anyone needs her healing gift especially the baby and small children. Even just a little she wants to help them as much as she could.